Carl Nassib Announces NFL is Donating $100,000 to The Trevor Project: 'It's Real Positive Stuff'

The National Football League is donating $100,000 to the Trevor Project, out former player Carl Nassib's favorite LGBTQ advocacy group, Outsports reports. The donation was to honor National Coming Out Day, which was Friday, October 12.

Nassib announced the donation on the NFL Network's "Good Morning Football" show on Friday. "A huge, huge thank you to the NFL," Nassib said on the NFL Network in announcing the donation. "It's really positive stuff." You can watch Nassib's appearance at this link.

The donation such as this by such a high profile corporation to honor a gay event in such a public way is the first break from the ongoing movement of corporations moving away from gay sponsorships and advocacy over the past year.

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.

"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," writes Outsports.

"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."

In his comment, The Trevor Project's chief executive Jaymes Black spoke to the need to create safe spaces for LGBTQ+ athletes.

"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."

In their statement, the NFL affirmed that the 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."