History of Carl Nassib in Timeline

Carl Nassib is a former American football player who played as a defensive end and linebacker in the NFL for seven seasons. He played college football at Penn State, earning All-American honors. Drafted by the Cleveland Browns in 2016, he also played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Las Vegas Raiders. In 2021, Nassib made history as the first active NFL player to publicly come out as gay, making him the first openly gay player to participate in a regular season NFL game.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

April 12, 1993: Carl Nassib Born

On April 12, 1993, Carl Nassib was born. He would later become a professional football player and the first active NFL player to come out as gay.

Others born on this day/year

2011: Enrolled at Penn State

In 2011, Carl Nassib enrolled at Pennsylvania State University and joined the Nittany Lions as a walk-on player.

2013: Played First Games

In 2013, Carl Nassib played in 10 games for the Nittany Lions, recording 12 tackles and one sack.

2013: Brother Played in NFL

In 2013, Carl Nassib's older brother, Ryan, began playing in the NFL.

2015: Became a Starter

In 2015, Carl Nassib became a starter for the first time in his senior year and reached 10 sacks in only six games.

2015: All-American Honors

In 2015, Carl Nassib earned unanimous All-American honors while playing college football for the Penn State Nittany Lions.

2015: Awarded All-American and Defensive Player of the Year

In 2015, Carl Nassib was named a unanimous All-American and the Big Ten's Nagurski-Woodson Defensive Player of the Year. He also won the Hendricks Award and the Lombardi Award.

2016: Signed with Cleveland Browns

In 2016, Carl Nassib was drafted by the Cleveland Browns and signed a four-year contract worth about $3.2 million.

2017: Brother's Last Season in NFL

2017 was the last year Carl Nassib's brother, Ryan, played in the NFL.

2017: Became a Starter for the Browns

In 2017, Carl Nassib became a starter for the Cleveland Browns.

September 2, 2018: Waived by the Browns

On September 2, 2018, Carl Nassib was waived by the Cleveland Browns.

September 3, 2018: Claimed by Tampa Bay Buccaneers

On September 3, 2018, Carl Nassib was claimed off waivers by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

March 27, 2020: Signed with Las Vegas Raiders

On March 27, 2020, Carl Nassib signed a three-year, $25 million contract with the Las Vegas Raiders.

June 21, 2021: Publicly Came Out as Gay

On June 21, 2021, Carl Nassib publicly came out as gay, becoming the first active NFL player to do so. He pledged to donate $100,000 to The Trevor Project.