Carl Nassib’s Jersey Is a Top-Seller Since He Came Out

Author: Rachel Shatto

If you’ve been considering buying a reproduction of Las Vegas Raiders player Carl Nassib’s jersey after he became the first active player to come out in NFL history, it seems you’re far from alone. Since Nassib’s landmark moment Monday, sports apparel retailer Fanatics said his jersey has become the top seller across its network of online stores. 

Nassib made the announcement about his sexual identity in a video posted to Instagram. In the message, he said, “I just want to take a quick moment to say that I’m gay. I’ve been meaning to do this for a while now, but I finally feel comfortable enough to get it off my chest. I really have the best life, I’ve got the best family, friends, and job a guy could ask for. I’m a pretty private person, so I hope you guys know that I’m really not doing this for attention. I just think that representation and visibility are so important.”

Nassib’s coming-out was met with praise from President Joe Biden, who tweeted his support. “To Carl Nassib and Kumi Yokoyama – two prominent, inspiring athletes who came out this week: I’m so proud of your courage. Because of you, countless kids around the world are seeing themselves in a new light today,” he wrote.

Raiders quarterback Derek Carr expressed his love and support for his teammate, telling reporters he felt it was important to tell Nassib how much he cares about him. “I have often said I love my teammates. I mean it,” Carr said. “We always say we are a family in that Raider locker room, and we mean that too. I want to win a championship here with Carl and the rest of our teammates.”

If the popularity of Nassib’s jersey is any indication, there’s plenty of love to go around. A spokesperson for Fanatics told CNN the company doesn’t release specific sales figures, but regardless it seems that Nassib’s number 94 jersey is going to be the Pride wear of the season.

Original Article on The Advocate
Author: Rachel Shatto