NFL donates $100,000 to honor gay player for National Coming Out Day

The NFL is donating $100,000 to the Trevor Project, the favorite LGBTQ advocacy group of Carl Nassib, for National Coming Out Day, the gay former player said today.

“A huge, huge thank you to the NFL,” Nassib said on the NFL Network in announcing the donation. “It’s really positive stuff.”

Nassib came out as gay in 2021 and at the time donated $100,000 to the Trevor Project, which seeks to prevent LGBTQ youth from harming themselves, and the NFL matched the donation. He retired prior to the start of the 2023 season after a career with Cleveland, Tampa Bay and Las Vegas.

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The Trevor Project has been a cause important to Nassib, something he again stressed in his announcement today.

“When I came out in 2021, it was important to me to let LGBTQ+ young people know that they are not alone,” Nassib said in a statement. “It has been an absolute honor to use my platform to shine a light on The Trevor Project’s life-saving services. The Trevor Project is near and dear to my heart, so it’s especially meaningful to me that the NFL has renewed their $100K commitment to support the organization’s mission to end suicide among LGBTQ+ young people.”

Jaymes Black, chief executive of the Trevor Project, talked about how important it is for sports to create safe spaces.

“The Trevor Project’s research found that 68% of LGBTQ+ young people reported that they had never participated in sports, with many citing concerns of discrimination and harassment from peers and coaches, fears of how others would react to their LGBTQ+ identity, and policies preventing them from playing on the team that matches their gender identity,” Black said. “Now, more than ever, it’s crucial for coaches, athletic directors, and teammates to create safe and affirming spaces for LGBTQ+ athletes to thrive openly as their authentic selves, both on and off the field.”

As for the NFL, the league said its latest donation showed its commitment to working with the organization.

“We are thrilled that The Trevor Project will continue to be a partner in our shared commitment to an LGBTQ inclusive league and world,” said Jonathan Beane, the NFL’s senior vice president and chief diversity and inclusion officer. “The Trevor Project’s work in championing LGBTQ youth and mental health is an inspiration, and we are proud to support the positive strides they are making to help communities in need.”

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