Before Carl Nassib, Michael Sam was the NFL’s first openly gay draft pick - The Washgton Post

Contents:

• MEET THE 16 OUT GAY AND BI FOOTBALL PLAYERS THE NFL’S 103-YEAR HISTORY
• THE 39 CURRENT NFL PLAYERS HAVE ALL PLAYED WH AN OUT GAY TEAMMATE
• RAIRS’ CARL NASSIB OUT AS GAY, THE FIRST ACTIVE NFL PLAYER TO DO SO
• BEFORE CARL NASSIB, MICHAEL SAM WAS THE NFL’S FIRST OPENLY GAY DRAFT PICK. HE NEVER PLAYED A REGULAR SEASON GAME.
• RAIRS’ CARL NASSIB ANNOUNC HE’S GAY, AN N.F.L. FIRST
• THERE HAVE BEEN 11 KNOWN GAY PLAYERS NFL HISTORY
• THREE GAY FOOTBALL PLAYERS FEATURED NFL NETWORK SEGMENT ON CARL NASSIB
• CARL NASSIB, FIRST OPENLY GAY NFL PLAYER, TO BE RELEASED BY RAIRS
• CARL NASSIB OF LAS VEGAS RAIRS IS FIRST ACTIVE NFL PLAYER TO ANNOUNCE HE IS GAY
• COLTON UNRWOOD, ‘BACHELOR’ STAR, COM OUT AS GAY

MEET THE 16 OUT GAY AND BI FOOTBALL PLAYERS THE NFL’S 103-YEAR HISTORY

Garrett (HB) 1964-1967Jason Garrett (QB) 1993-2000John Garrett (WR) 1989-1989Kev Garrett (DB) 2003-2006Len Garrett (TE) 1971-1975Mike Garrett (RB) 1966-1973Mike Garrett (P) 1981-1981Myl Garrett (DE) 2017-2022Reggie Garrett (WR) 1974-1975Shane Garrett (WR) 1991-1991Thurman Garrett (C) 1947-1948Gary Garrison (WR-SE) 1966-1977Walt Garrison (RB) 1966-1974Gregg Garry (WR) 1983-1989Larry Garron (HB-FB) 1960-1968Leon Garror (DB) 1972-1973Ben Garry (RB) 1979-1980Chris Gartner (K) 1974-1974Franny Garvey (E) 1925-1926Hec Garvey (G-E-T-C) 1922-1931Jonathan Garv (DL) 2020-2022Terence Garv (LB) 2013-2018Cleveland Gary (RB) 1989-1994Keh Gary (DE) 1983-1988Olandis Gary (RB) 1999-2003Rashan Gary (DL) 2019-2022Rsell Gary (DB) 1981-1987Shamiel Gary (SS) 2015-2016Willie Gary (DB) 2001-2001Dan Garza (E) 1949-1951Roberto Garza (G-C) 2001-2014Sammy Garza (QB) 1987-1987Mike Garzoni (G) 1947-1948Sam Gash (FB) 1992-2003Thane Gash (DB) 1988-1992Myl Gask (RB) 2019-2022Kendall Gasks (RB) 2015-2015Percell Gasks (LB) 1996-1997Joe Gasparella (BB-QB) 1948-1951Michael Gasperson (WR) 2007-2007Ron Gassert (DT) 1962-1962Mark Gaste (DE) 1979-1988Bce Gaston (DT) 2015-2015Willie Gaston (DB) 2007-2007 Gat (G) 1920-1920Anton Gat (TE) 2003-2018Cly Gat (WR) 2011-2013DeMarquis Gat (LB) 2022-2022Lnel Gat (RB) 2007-2007Nick Gat (OT) 2019-2022Curtis Gatewood (DE) 2008-2010L Gatewood (C) 1946-1947Thom Gatewood (TE-WR) 1972-1973Ri Gathers (TE) 2018-2018Frank Gatski+ (C-LB) 1946-1957Gregory Gatson (CB) 2012-2012Josh Gattis (DB) 2007-2007Dennis Gbatz (LB) 1963-1969Bob Gd (G) 1947-1951Charlie Ger (FB-E) 1943-1945Frank Gl (T) 1949-1949Rashaan Gln (CB) 2018-2020Hal Glke (B) 1920-1922Billy Glt (HB) 1961-1961Don Glt (QB) 1970-1970Willie Glt (WR) 1983-1993Steve Gnty (WR) 1979-1979Frank Gse (C-G) 1929-1929Quent Gse (LB) 2016-2016Dutch Gstad (G) 1921-1923Prentice Gtt (HB-FB) 1960-1967Mike Gavagan (FB-BB) 1923-1923Buck Gav (B) 1920-1926Chuck Gav (DE) 1960-1963Momcilo Gavric (K) 1969-1969Ben Gay (RB) 2001-2001Billy Gay (DB) 1951-1951Blenda Gay (DE) 1974-1976Chet Gay (G-T-C) 1925-1926Everett Gay (WR) 1988-1988Jordan Gay (P) 2014-2016Matt Gay (DB) 1994-1994Matt Gay (K) 2019-2022Randall Gay (DB) 2004-2010William Gay (DE-DT-TE) 1978-1988William Gay (DB) 2007-2017Willie Gay Jr. (LB) 2020-2022Kent Gaydos (WR) 1975-1975Chuck Gayer (T) 1926-1926Rashid Gayle (DB) 1996-1996Shn Gayle (DB) 1984-1995Trevor Gaylor (WR) 2000-2002Doug Gaynor (QB) 1986-1986Frank Gaziano (G) 1944-1944Joe Gaziano (DE) 2020-2022Akbar Gbaja-Biaa (DE) 2003-2007Kabeer Gbaja-Biaa (DE) 2000-2008Cory Geason (TE) 2000-2002Ron Geater (DE) 1992-1992Clayton Geathers (SS) 2015-2019Clifton Geathers (DE) 2010-2014Jumpy Geathers (DE-DT) 1984-1996Kwame Geathers (DT) 2013-2013Robert Geathers (DE) 2004-2014Bob Geds (LB) 1972-1975Ken Geds (LB) 1971-1978Ben Geon (ILB) 2017-2019Gene Gedman (HB) 1953-1958Chris Gedney (TE) 1993-2000Mark Gehrg (TE) 1987-1987Bce Gehrke (E) 1948-1948Fred Gehrke (HB) 1940-1950Jack Gehrke (WR) 1968-1971Kaylon Geiger (WR) 2022-2022Chris Geile (G) 1987-1987Jt Geisger (G) 2006-2008Chuck Gelatka (E) 1937-1940Stan Gelbgh (QB) 1989-1996Pete Gent (FL-WR) 1964-1968Byron Gentry (G) 1937-1939Curt Gentry (DB) 1966-1968Dale Gentry (E) 1946-1948Dennis Gentry (WR-RB) 1982-1992Lee Gentry (HB) 1941-1941Tanner Gentry (WR) 2017-2022Weldon Gentry (G) 1930-1931Zach Gentry (TE) 2019-2022Allan Gee (CB) 2022-2022Bill Gee+ (LB-G-MG-DT) 1952-1966Carl Gee (G) 1922-1922Ed Gee (T) 1975-1978Eddie Gee (RB) 1996-2004Jeff Gee (DB) 1987-1987Jeff Gee (QB) 1990-2001Jeremiah Gee (ILB) 2014-2017Matt Gee (P-K) 1998-1998Ray Gee (T) 1939-1940Ron Gee (LB) 1993-2000Spencer Gee (RB) 1997-1999Steve Gee (DT) 1974-1976Tim Gee (WR) 1973-1974Tony Gee (DB) 1999-2000Sid Gepford (HB) 1920-1920John Gerak (G-C) 1993-1997K.

The NFL has played for more than 100 years and there have been 16 gay or bi players to e out publicly.

Over the years, Outsports has known of a few other players who are gay but have never e out, even when retired.

THE 39 CURRENT NFL PLAYERS HAVE ALL PLAYED WH AN OUT GAY TEAMMATE

Some people still believe that the NFL is a “homophobic” monolh where ’s “dangero” to be gay. Dpe Outsports chroniclg lerally dozens of piec of evince to the ntrary, there’s a ntued belief amongst some that NFL players would overwhelmgly reject a gay player if he me out.

So we set out to figure out how many current NFL players have already played on the same team wh an out gay teammate. We found 39 current NFL players, who were on a roster for the 2020 season, who have already had an out gay teammate. The 39 current NFL players have played wh at least five gay or bisexual men who were out to their team while they were on the same team.

At least six of the players on the Cardals’ 2020 roster — about 10% of the team, — has already had a gay teammate they knew of. Wh that experience, solid veteran learship, a ach Kliff Kgsbury who has ld gay football player Stt Frantz, and a ont office that has monstrated an embrace of LGBTQ people, is easy to make the se that an out gay player wh the Cardals would be weled. The are the current NFL players to have played wh an out gay or bi man on their team (wh that team and their current team listed):.

RAIRS’ CARL NASSIB OUT AS GAY, THE FIRST ACTIVE NFL PLAYER TO DO SO

If you thk I’ve missed a current NFL player who’s played wh an out gay or bi teammate, be sure to leave the rmatn the ments below.

BEFORE CARL NASSIB, MICHAEL SAM WAS THE NFL’S FIRST OPENLY GAY DRAFT PICK. HE NEVER PLAYED A REGULAR SEASON GAME.

Atralian A-League soccer star Josh Cavallo me out as gay an October vio posted to his social media, beg hailed as the first current male top-flight profsnal soccer player to publicly do so. "He ntued: "Growg up I always felt the need to hi myself, you know, bee I was ashamed, and ashamed I'll never be able to do what I love and be gay.

In a September terview wh USA Today, 25-year-old mor league baseball player beme the only active baseball profsnal to be out as gay! Natnal Hockey League prospect Le Prokop me out as gay July, the first active player the league to e out. "I am proud to publicly tell everyone that I am gay, " he wrote a heartfelt msage on social media.

The 28-year-old Natnal Football League player and Rairs fensive leman ma history when he me out as gay on Instagram durg Pri Month, beg the first veteran NFL player to e out as gay while signed to a regular-season ntract.

RAIRS’ CARL NASSIB ANNOUNC HE’S GAY, AN N.F.L. FIRST

The Bachelor star and former football player (who was signed by the San Diego Chargers as an undrafted ee agent and was on the practice squad of the Oakland Rairs and the Philalphia Eagl) me out as gay April, sayg he had fally e to terms wh his sexualy and the "next step all of this was sort of lettg people know. "He wanted everyone to know he was "still the same Colton everybody met on TV" and is "proud to be gay.

Hiltz had prevly e out as gay while llege and has been a visible and affirmg prence for gay athlet the past. Corey Walsh, the 27-year-old pro BMX rir and Vans spokperson, said he isn't normally the type of person to "let people " on his personal life, but felt was important to e out as gay a March Instagram post bee "there are a lot of people still stgglg wh the same suatns" and he "jt wanted to let people know that they are not alone.

THERE HAVE BEEN 11 KNOWN GAY PLAYERS NFL HISTORY

Champn long track speedskater Conor McDermott-Mostowy never hid beg gay om his fay, iends, and fellow athlet, but he also wasn't one to rate his locker wh rabow Pri flags eher. He ially feared negative stereotyp about gay male athlet but threw those ncerns asi after his two-tle performance at the U.

Perkz/@rlnassib/@rkrelentls)When Kansas State offensive tackle and NFL hopeful Stt Frantz me out to the natn as gay, he shared that his teammat (to whom he'd e out earlier) had warmly received the news, a sign the most alpha of locker rooms may fally be ready for equaly.

Here's a list of players llege and pro ball who have proved you n be gay or bi and still n the gntlet. Roy "Sugar Bear" Simmons, an offensive leman for the New York Giants and Washgton Redsks, beme the send NFL player ever to publicly reveal he was gay. So Coach Vce Lombardi knew McDonald was gay when he took over learship of the team 1969, but ma clear there would be no discrimatn his locker room, those close to the legend say.

THREE GAY FOOTBALL PLAYERS FEATURED NFL NETWORK SEGMENT ON CARL NASSIB

Cornerback Wa Davis, who played preason wh the Tennsee Tans, Seattle Seahawks and Washgton Redsks and spent two seasons wh NFL Europe teams Berl Thunr and Barcelona Dragons, me out as gay 2012, nearly a after his retirement. He would later nfirm his sexualy on CNN and s down wh ESPN to discs the challeng of growg up gay Jamai and playg football while closeted.

He later cled to sign wh the Tennsee Tans and Dallas Cowboys before g out as gay at 24, he told Philalphia Magaze revealed to the magaze that he'd dated a male cheerlear at Purdue who had threatened to out him then. He would later move to San Francis and jo the Fog, a gay gby team, and pen a g-out blog post 2015.

Wyatt Pertet, a special teams player and receiver for Capal Universy, will be a sophomore this season.

CARL NASSIB, FIRST OPENLY GAY NFL PLAYER, TO BE RELEASED BY RAIRS

The Bachelor star and former football player (who was signed by the San Diego Chargers as an undrafted ee agent and was on the practice squad of the Oakland Rairs and the Philalphia Eagl) me out as gay April of 2021, sayg he had fally e to terms wh his sexualy and the "next step all of this was sort of lettg people know. The Rairs leman ma NFL history durg Pri Month 2021 when he me out as gay a heartfelt Instagram post, beg the first active NFL player to e out as member of the LGBTQ+ muny.

The Hampton Universy player ma history October of 2022 when he me out as gay an Instagram Story post, beg the first out gay football player at a Historilly Black College or Universy. "Speakg to OutSports, he ntued: "Especially at an HBCU, young Black gay men need an outlet. Carl Nassib #94 of the Las Vegas Rairs celebrat a 31-26 w over the Los Angel Chargers at SoFi Stadium on November 08, 2020 Inglewood, How | Getty ImagLas Vegas Rairs fensive leman Carl Nassib announced on Monday that he is gay, beg the first player on an active Natnal Football League roster to e out.

"I jt wanted to take a quick moment to say that I'm gay, " Nassib said an Instagram post. We wish Carl the bt of luck this g season, " NFL Commissner Roger Gooll said a 2014, Michael Sam beme the first openly gay player to be selected the NFL draft when the St. Sam was cut jt before the regular season Colls, who is now retired, beme the first active openly gay NBA player 2013.

CARL NASSIB OF LAS VEGAS RAIRS IS FIRST ACTIVE NFL PLAYER TO ANNOUNCE HE IS GAY

Seven years before Las Vegas Rairs fensive end Carl Nassib beme the first active NFL player to e out as gay on Monday, an all-Amerin om the Universy of Missouri risked a promisg reer wh a public claratn. “I am an openly proud gay man, ” Michael Sam, a 24-year-old fensive end, told ESPN and the New York Tim Febary announcement followed a surprisg 12-2 season for Missouri, which won the SEC East and then the Cotton Bowl as Sam was named the SEC fensive player of the year. On Tuday, Sam thanked Nassib for jog the ranks of LGBTQ football players, payg special tribute to the donatn Nassib ma to the Trevor Project, a nonprof foced on suici Vegas Rairs fensive end Carl Nassib announced June 21 on Instagram that he is gay, makg him the first active NFL player to e out.

The NFL particular had faced cricism for allegedly askg prospects about their sexual orientatn and had been acced of hamperg players who spoke out favor of gay many profsnal athlet around the world, cludg several retired NFL players, had e out by 2014, no one who was still playg football had dared to make that move before story rurfaced on Monday when the 28-year-old Nassib, who was drafted by the Cleveland Browns 2016 and now plays for the Rairs, announced that he is gay a vio on Instagram. “Here’s the tth: Everyone ow Michael Sam such a b of gratu, ” Wa Davis, a former NFL rnerback who me out as gay 2012, told The Washgton Post on Monday. He wasn’t the only gay man who stggled to fd a place the NFL after g retired NFL players have publicly intified as gay, begng wh Dave Kopay, who me out 1975, three years after leavg the sport.

FirstThe Rairs fensive leman me out a statement posted to his Instagram acunt on Monday, beg the first active player the league to publicly intify as gay. “I jt want to take a quick moment to say that I’m gay, ” Nassib said a vio posted to his Instagram acunt.

COLTON UNRWOOD, ‘BACHELOR’ STAR, COM OUT AS GAY

I actually hope that like one day vios like this and the whole g-out procs are jt not necsary, but until then I’m gog to do my bt and my part to cultivate a culture that’s acceptg, that’s passnate, ” before addg that he would donate $100, 000 to The Trevor Project, a nonprof group that foc on suici preventn efforts among lbian, gay, bisexual, transgenr, queer and qutng youth.

“Sports are, many ways, one of the last bastns of a place where homophobia n thrive, ” said Cathy Renna, a spokwoman for the Natnal L.

”Michael Sam, an all-Amerin fensive leman at Missouri, had been viewed as the most likely to acquire that distctn when he announced he is gay before he beg chosen by the Rams the seventh round of the 2014 N. The Dallas Cowboys signed Sam to their practice squad, but he never played a regular season Otero/Associated PrsSam’s draft stat was seen as a barometer of whether the climate of men’s pro sports was beg more acceptg of gay athlet, particularly bee Febary 2014 the N.