TICKER PRIDE | First NFL player to come out as gay

Carl Nassib has taken to social media making a significant personal statement – he is now the first openly gay player in the National Football League.

The 28-year old was drafted back in 2016, he currently plays as a defensive end for the Las Vegas raiders, he posted this video to his instagram a short time ago.

“I just want to take a quick moment to say that I’m gay,” Nassib said in a video he posted on his verified Instagram account.

“I’ve been meaning to do this for a while now but I finally feel comfortable enough to get it off my chest. I really have the best life. I’ve got the best family, friends and job a guy could ask for. I’m a pretty private person, so I hope you guys know I’m not doing this for attention, but I think representation matters.”

No openly gay player has ever played in a regular-season NFL game.

Michael Sam came out as gay before the 2014 NFL draft, was drafted by the Rams and played for them in the preseason, but he did not make a regular season roster.

A handful of other players have come out after their playing careers ended.

The 28-year-old Nassib was a third-round draft pick of the Browns in 2016 who has also played for the Buccaneers. He was the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year at Penn State in 2015.