Raiders Legend Bo Jackson 'Proud' of Carl Nassib for Coming Out as Gay

Scott Polacek @@ScottPolacekFeatured Columnist IVJune 22, 2021

FILE - In this Dec. 31, 2011 file photo, former Auburn player Bo Jackson attends the Chick-fil-A Bowl NCAA college football game between Auburn and Virginia in Atlanta. Jackson will be honored at the 2013 MLB Beacon Awards Luncheon next month. Major League Baseball announced Thursday, July 25, 2013 that Aretha Franklin and Jackson will receive awards Aug. 24 at the Chicago Marriott Magnificent Mile before the annual Civil Rights Game. The game will be played between the Chicago White Sox and the Texas Rangers at the U.S. Cellular Field. (AP Photo/David Goldman, File)

AP Photo/David Goldman, File

Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Carl Nassib has the support of Raiders royalty.

"Proud of Carl Nassib on coming out yesterday," Bo Jackson tweeted. "The #RaiderNation, the whole country, and I stand with you."

Nassib announced in an Instagram video Monday that he is gay. Nassib also announced he is donating $100,000 to The Trevor Project.

Bleacher Report @BleacherReport
Las Vegas Raiders DE Carl Nassib comes out as gay<br><br>He also announced a $100K donation to the Trevor Project, a suicide prevention organization for LGBTQ youth. pic.twitter.com/5Xobd9s0pp

"The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning (LGBTQ) young people under 25," according to the organization's website.

ESPN's Adam Schefter noted Nassib was the "first active NFL player to announce he is gay."

Jackson was far from the only one to offer support for Nassib:

Las Vegas Raiders @Raiders
Proud of you, Carl 🖤 pic.twitter.com/R9aJxYFefW

NFLPA @NFLPA
We support you, Carl ✊✊ https://t.co/8XcRWJsghD

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NFL345 @NFL345
From Commissioner Goodell: pic.twitter.com/MbgGt6AuGs

JJ Watt @JJWatt
Good for you Carl.<br><br>Glad you feel comfortable enough to share and hopefully someday these types of announcements will no longer be considered breaking news. https://t.co/eevr8cgRay

Adam Rittenberg @ESPNRittenberg
Statement from ⁦@coachjfranklin⁩ on ⁦@PennStateFball⁩ alum Carl Nassib: pic.twitter.com/639m4OWou4

Jackson played for the Raiders from 1987 through 1990 when the franchise was located in Los Angeles. He also played in Major League Baseball for the Kansas City Royals, Chicago White Sox and California Angels from 1986 through 1994.