Jun 22, 2021 - Sports

Raiders' Carl Nassib has top-selling NFL jersey after coming out as gay

Shawna Chen

Photo of 4 helmeted football players, one in a black uniform and the other 3 in white uniforms, standing on a field — Defensive end Carl Nassib #94 of the Las Vegas Raiders looks on in the second half of their game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium on Dec. 17, 2020. Photo: Chris Unger via Getty Images

Las Vegas Raiders player Carl Nassib is the top-selling NFL jersey across the Fanatics network after becoming the first active NFL player in history to come out as gay, ESPN reported Tuesday.

Why it matters: The popularity of Nassib's jersey signals overwhelming support for the player, who said he was coming out now because "representation and visibility are so important."

The vast majority NFL players who are in the LGBTQ community are closeted due to fear that their identity will negatively impact their career, former NFL player Ryan O'Callaghan told Reuters in 2019.

Worth noting: Nassib said he will be donating $100,000 to the Trevor Project, a suicide prevention service for LGBTQ youth in the U.S.

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Raiders' Carl Nassib has top-selling NFL jersey after coming out as gay

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