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Carl Nassib

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Carl Nassib
refer to caption
Nassib with the Cleveland Browns in 2018
No. 93, 94
Position:Defensive end, linebacker
Personal information
Born: (1993-04-12) April 12, 1993 (age 31)
West Chester, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Height:6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
Weight:275 lb (125 kg)
Career information
High school:Malvern Prep (Malvern, Pennsylvania)
College:Penn State (2011–2015)
NFL draft:2016 / round: 3 / pick: 65
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles:187
Sacks:25.5
Forced fumbles:4
Fumble recoveries:2
Pass deflections:19
Interceptions:1
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Carl Paul Nassib (born April 12, 1993) is an American former professional football player who was a defensive end and linebacker for seven seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Penn State Nittany Lions, earning unanimous All-American honors as a senior in 2015. Nassib was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the third round of the 2016 NFL draft. He also played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Las Vegas Raiders. In 2021 Nassib became the first active NFL player to publicly come out as gay and to play in a game.[1][2]

Early life

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Nassib was born in West Chester, Pennsylvania.[3] He attended Malvern Preparatory School in Malvern, where he was a three-year letterman in football.[4] He played as an offensive tackle and defensive end. He helped lead the team to a 7–4 record in his junior and senior years. Nassib also lettered twice in basketball as well as three times in track and field. As a senior, he was selected team captain in basketball, helping lead the Friars to a 24–7 record.[5]

College career

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Nassib enrolled at Pennsylvania State University and joined the Nittany Lions team as a walk-on in 2011.[6][7][8] After not playing his first two years, he played in 10 games as a sophomore in 2013, during coach Bill O'Brien's second and final season with the team. Nassib recorded 12 tackles and one sack. As a junior, he appeared in all 13 games and had seven tackles and one sack.[9] He became a starter for the first time his senior year in 2015.[10][11][12] Nassib reached 10 sacks in only six games to start the year.[13]

Nassib was named a unanimous All-American and the Big Ten's Nagurski-Woodson Defensive Player of the Year for 2015.[3][14] He won the Hendricks Award for the nation's top defensive end, and was also given the Lombardi Award for being the best college football lineman or linebacker.[15][16] Nassib was also a finalist for several other awards, including the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, the award given to the best defensive player in the country, along with the Burlsworth Trophy given to the nation's best player who started their career as a walk-on.[17][18]

Professional career

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Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 6+7⁄8 in
(2.00 m) 		277 lb
(126 kg) 		34 in
(0.86 m) 		10+3⁄8 in
(0.26 m)		 4.84 s 1.62 s 2.77 s 4.37 s 7.27 s 28.5 in
(0.72 m)		 9 ft 6 in
(2.90 m)		 21 reps
All values from NFL Combine[19][20]

Cleveland Browns

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Nassib was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the third round of the 2016 NFL draft with the 65th pick.[21][22] On June 28, Nassib signed a four-year contract worth about $3.2 million, with signing bonus worth approximately $890,000.[23]

In his first game as a professional, against the Philadelphia Eagles, Nassib recorded one sack, three tackles, and one deflected pass, and earned a nomination for Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week.[24] He played in 14 games as a rookie and became a starter in 2017.[3]

Nassib was waived by the Browns on September 2, 2018.[25]

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (first stint)

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On September 3, 2018, Nassib was claimed off waivers by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.[26][27] He set career highs in both sacks (6.5) and tackles for loss (12) in 2018, both higher than his career totals in both categories going into the season.[28] In two seasons with the Buccaneers, he started 17 games and totaled 12.5 sacks.[3]

Las Vegas Raiders

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On March 27, 2020, Nassib signed a three-year, $25 million contract, including $16.75 million guaranteed, with the Las Vegas Raiders.[29][30] In Week 10 of the 2020 season against the Denver Broncos, Nassib recorded his first career interception in the 37–12 win.[31]

In the Raiders' 2021 season opener against Baltimore, broadcast on Monday Night Football, Nassib strip sacked Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson in overtime, which Las Vegas recovered to set up the winning touchdown in a 33–27 win.[32] In that appearance, he became the first openly gay player in NFL history to play in a game.[33] He played in 13 games during the season with 21 tackles and 1+1⁄2 sacks.[34] He became the first openly gay player in an NFL playoff game on January 15, 2022.[35][36] In the offseason, he was released by the Raiders on March 17, 2022.[37]

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (second stint)

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On August 16, 2022, Nassib signed with the Buccaneers[38][39][40] and chose 93 as his jersey number[41] but was ultimately able to secure his original jersey number 94 that he played in starting in high school. The one-year deal was a veteran salary benefit contract for $1.05M with a $152,500 signing bonus.[42]

Nassib announced his retirement from the NFL on September 6, 2023.[43]

Personal life

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Nassib's father, Gilbert Nassib, played college football at the University of Delaware.[5] His older brother Ryan was a quarterback at Syracuse University and played in the NFL from 2013 to 2017.[5]

On June 21, 2021, during Pride Month,[1] Nassib released a statement on his Instagram account stating that he is gay, becoming the first active NFL player to come out publicly.[1][44] In the statement, he pledged to donate $100,000 to The Trevor Project, a crisis intervention and suicide prevention organization for LGBTQ youth, and to continue to champion their work.[45] He received public support from the NFL, Raiders, Penn State, and current and former athletes.[3] That day, jerseys and T-shirts with his name were the top sellers among all NFL players at Fanatics, the league's sales partner.[46] In 2023, Nassib was in a relationship with Danish Olympian Søren Dahl.[47][48][49]

In April 2024, Nassib was joined by The Trevor Project founder Peggy Rajski to announce the Cleveland Browns’ second round draft pick on live TV.[50]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Belson, Ken (June 21, 2021). "Raiders' Carl Nassib Announces He's Gay, an N.F.L. First". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved November 23, 2021.
  2. ^ "Raiders DL Carl Nassib becomes first active NFL player to come out as gay". NFL.com. Archived from the original on August 11, 2022. Retrieved November 23, 2021.
  3. ^ a b c d e Thames, Alanis (June 22, 2021). "Carl Nassib, the First Openly Gay N.F.L. Player, Has Been a Football Everyman". The New York Times. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
  4. ^ "West Chester native Carl Nassib makes history as first active NFL player to announce he's gay". June 22, 2021.
  5. ^ a b c "Penn State Nittany Lions:Carl Nassib". Archived from the original on October 8, 2015.
  6. ^ "Former walk-on DE Carl Nassib blossoming into a star for Penn State". ESPN.com. September 14, 2015.
  7. ^ The Morning Call (April 19, 2015). "Penn State defensive end Carl Nassib shines in spring drills – The Morning Call". themorningcall.com. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved October 15, 2015.
  8. ^ "Weight room, Chipotle changed Carl Nassib from walk-on to sack leader – Big Ten Blog- ESPN". ESPN.com. October 7, 2015.
  9. ^ "Former walk-on Carl Nassib hasn't looked back after Bill O'Brien's surprise scholarship offer". PennLive.com. April 2015.
  10. ^ "Carl Nassib: From Malvern Prep to probable Penn State starter". philly-archives. Archived from the original on September 7, 2015.
  11. ^ "Nassib's path to becoming a starter for Penn State a success story". Reading Eagle. Archived from the original on May 5, 2016. Retrieved October 15, 2015.
  12. ^ Bob Cohn (August 10, 2015). "Long wait over for Penn State fifth-year senior Nassib". TribLIVE.com.
  13. ^ "Rich Scarcella: PSU defensive end Carl Nassib one of nation's best". Reading Eagle. Archived from the original on December 25, 2015. Retrieved October 15, 2015.
  14. ^ "View 2015 All-Big Ten Defensive Team & individual award winners". Big Ten Network. November 30, 2015.
  15. ^ "Nassib wins Ted Hendricks Award". Penn State News. Archived from the original on June 18, 2021. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
  16. ^ "Nassib wins Rotary Lombardi Award". Penn State News. Archived from the original on June 28, 2021. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
  17. ^ "Oklahoma Sooners QB Baker Mayfield wins Burlsworth Award". ESPN.com. December 7, 2015.
  18. ^ "Temple's Tyler Matakevich named Nagurski Trophy winner – CollegeFootballTalk". CollegeFootballTalk. December 8, 2015.
  19. ^ "Carl Nassib Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
  20. ^ "Carl Nassib, Penn State, DE, 2016 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football". draftscout.com. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
  21. ^ Cabot, Mary Kay (April 29, 2016). "Carl Nassib drafted by Cleveland Browns with No. 65 pick". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved August 28, 2016.
  22. ^ "2022 NFL Draft | NFL Draft News, Video & Photos". NFL.com. Retrieved January 25, 2023.
  23. ^ Cabot, Mary Kay (June 29, 2016). "Browns sign 3rd-rounder Carl Nassib, whom they think has a motor like Joey Bosa's". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved August 28, 2016.
  24. ^ "Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week". NFL.com. September 13, 2016. Archived from the original on September 17, 2016. Retrieved September 16, 2016.
  25. ^ Gribble, Andrew (September 2, 2018). "Browns claim 5 players in latest moves to reshaped 53-man roster". ClevelandBrowns.com.
  26. ^ Smith, Scott (September 3, 2018). "Bucs Nab DE Carl Nassib in Waiver Claim". Buccaneers.com.
  27. ^ Salvarezza, Alex (September 3, 2018). "Tampa Bay claims DL Carl Nassib off waivers from Browns". Bucs Nation. Retrieved December 9, 2022.
  28. ^ Kinnan, Cory (February 20, 2019). "Carl Nassib continues to pay dividends for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers". ThePewterPlank.com. FanSided. Retrieved April 19, 2019.
  29. ^ "Raiders sign defensive end Carl Nassib". Silver and Black Pride. SB Nation. March 17, 2020.
  30. ^ Massie, Graeme (June 22, 2021). "Carl Nassib: Las Vegas Raider becomes the first active NFL player to come out as gay". The Independent. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
  31. ^ "Denver Broncos at Las Vegas Raiders - November 15th, 2020". Pro-Football-Reference.com. November 15, 2020. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
  32. ^ Gutierrez, Paul (September 14, 2021). "Derek Carr rallies Las Vegas Raiders past Baltimore Ravens in wild, OT win: 'Hope this is a sign of things to come'". ESPN.com. Retrieved September 14, 2021.
  33. ^ "Las Vegas Raiders' Carl Nassib makes LGBTQ history — and a game-saving play". NBCNews.com. September 14, 2021.
  34. ^ Gutierrez, Paul (March 16, 2022). "Source: Las Vegas Raiders releasing trailblazing DE Carl Nassib". ESPN. Retrieved July 26, 2022.
  35. ^ "Carl Nassib becomes the first openly gay player to play in a NFL postseason game". GAY TIMES. January 16, 2022.
  36. ^ "Carl Nassib Makes History: First Openly Gay Player To Play In NFL Postseason Game". January 16, 2022.
  37. ^ Bellamy, Tat (March 16, 2022). "Carl Nassib, first openly gay NFL player, to be released by Raiders". Nbcnews.com. Retrieved July 16, 2022.
  38. ^ Smith, Scott (August 16, 2022). "Bucs Bring Back Carl Nassib". Buccaneers.com. Archived from the original on August 17, 2022. Retrieved August 17, 2022.
  39. ^ "Bucs make it official, sign pass rusher Carl Nassib to 1-year deal". Bucs Wire. August 17, 2022. Retrieved December 9, 2022.
  40. ^ "History-making NFL player Carl Nassib signs with Tampa Bay Buccaneers". NBC News. August 16, 2022. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  41. ^ "Carl Nassib (DE): Bio, News, Stats & more". www.buccaneers.com. Retrieved August 20, 2022.
  42. ^ "Full details of Carl Nassib's new 1-year deal with Bucs". sports.yahoo.com. August 17, 2022. Retrieved August 20, 2022.
  43. ^ Ulrich, Logan (September 6, 2023). "Veteran DE Carl Nassib Announces Retirement". NFLTradeRumors.co. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
  44. ^ Price, Christopher (June 21, 2021). "Raiders' Carl Nassib comes out as gay; is first active NFL player to do so". Boston Globe. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  45. ^ Gutierrez, Paul (June 21, 2021). "Carl Nassib of Las Vegas Raiders announces he is gay, pledges $100,000 to Trevor Project". ESPN.com. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  46. ^ Morgan, Emmanuel (June 22, 2021). "A Gay N.F.L. Player Broke a Barrier. Will Others Follow?". The New York Times. Retrieved June 23, 2021.
  47. ^ "NFL player Carl Nassib confirms relationship with Olympian Søren Dahl". GAY TIMES. January 4, 2023. Retrieved March 9, 2023.
  48. ^ "Carl Nassib Confirms Olympic Swimmer Søren Dahl Is His Boyfriend". www.out.com. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  49. ^ "NFL Star Carl Nassib Has a Boyfriend, Olympic Swimmer Søren Dahl". www.pride.com. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  50. ^ "Carl Nassib and founder of Trevor Project to announce second-round pick". chroniclet.com. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
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