Colts' Irsay praises Carl Nassib after historic announcement

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Colts owner Jim Irsay praises Raiders' Carl Nassib after historic announcement

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 6/23/21

Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Carl Nassib continues to receive messages of support from individuals both in and outside of the football community.

Roughly two days after Nassib became the first active NFL player to come out as openly gay, Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay tweeted about the historic announcement:

I commend Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Carl Nassib for his courage and world leadership. Love,tolerance and open mindedness must lead the way in the 21st Century! #ChangingTheWorld!
— Jim Irsay (@JimIrsay) June 23, 2021

Tuesday night, President Joe Biden praised both Nassib and Kumi Yokoyama from National Women's Soccer League side Washington Spirit. Yokoyama came out as a transgender man on Sunday.

As of Tuesday afternoon, Nassib was responsible for the best-selling NFL jersey across the Fanatics network this week. Also Tuesday, the NFL matched a $100,000 donation made by Nassib to The Trevor Project, an organization that focuses on suicide prevention among LGBTQ youths.

Raiders team president Marc Badain, owner Mark Davis, coach Jon Gruden, and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell are among the many others who have backed Nassib via statements and comments since Monday afternoon.

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