Carl Nassib, first openly gay player to appear in an NFL regular-season game, retires after seven seasons

Nassib was selected by the Browns in the 2016 NFL Draft

Defensive lineman Carl Nassib is an NFL trailblazer, making history as the first openly gay player to participate in an NFL regular season game. After seven NFL seasons, Nassib announced his retirement Wednesday morning. Nassib was selected 65th overall (third round) in the 2016 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns out of Penn State, and his seven seasons included 99 games in the league: two seasons with the Browns (2016-2017), three with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2018-2019, 2022), and two with the Las Vegas Raiders (2020-2021). 

Nassib totaled 25.5 sacks, 187 total tackles, four forced fumbles, and an interception. Nassib played the last two seasons of his career, 2021 and 2022, as an openly gay player after publicly announcing his sexuality in June of 2021. 

"This is a bittersweet moment for me, but after seven seasons and just over 100 NFL games [including preseason], I am officially retiring from football to focus on my company Rayze," Nassib said in an Instagram post Wednesday morning. "It feels like yesterday starting out as a walk-on at Penn State. Football has given me more than I ever could have imagined. I can truly hang up my helmet for the last time knowing I gave it everything I had. Growing up I loved how fun football was. I loved the pursuit of perfection. I loved the small window where every player has to chase their dreams. It makes it all the more exciting if you get there. It was always my ream to play in the NFL, even as a walk-on, and I really feel like the luckiest guy on the planet."

Nassib concluded his Instagram post with a simple message: follow your dreams.

"To anyone who has a dream of being the best best, never let anyone convince you it's impossible," Nassib said. "Be the best in everything you do. Work had, make smart decisions and be kind to others. I am so excited for the next chapter of my life and to give Rayze everything I have. I am also looking forward to working alongside the NFL on DEI and exciting philanthropic efforts in the future. Wish me luck! Thank you."

Nassib's company Rayze is "a mobile platform that uses positive social media to simplify the way we give back in the form of volunteering and donations" according to the company's website.