Carl Nassib (94) Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

History-making DE retires from NFL after seven seasons

Carl Nassib announced his retirement from the NFL on Wednesday night following seven seasons with three different teams.

Nassib made history in June 2021, becoming the first openly gay active player in the league. Nassib was playing with the Las Vegas Raiders at the time and according to an Associated Press and ESPN report, he said the reaction to his announcement was "incredible."

"I thought nobody would care. But it was just such a good feeling to have all that support," he said at the time, per the report. "I was glad to do my part to help bring visibility and representation to my community."

According to the Associated Press and ESPN report, Nassib's company "Rayze" is an app that "links people to each other and to nonprofits that appeal to their interests or are based where they live."

The 30-year-old was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft after playing at Penn State. Nassib spent his first two seasons with the Browns before signing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in early September 2018.

His first year with the Bucs was one of the best of his career, as the defensive lineman recorded career highs in quarterback hits (14), tackles for loss (12), sacks (6.5) and forced fumbles (two) across 15 games (nine starts) that season. Nassib added another six sacks during the 2019 campaign in Tampa Bay before signing with the Raiders in March 2020.

After being released by Las Vegas in March 2022, he rejoined the Buccaneers last August and posted six quarterback hits, six tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and three passes defended over 13 games (one start).

With 99 career games played, but only 38 starts and never playing more than 63% of his team's defensive snaps in a season, Nassib was never more than a part-time, albeit solid depth piece. What he contributed off the field, however, will live in NFL lore for a long time.

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