How coming out has impacted LGBTQ+ NFL players like R.K. Russell

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When former Las Vegas Raiders football player Carl Nassib came out as gay in 2021, he was commended for his honesty and bravery at the time, but he was cut by Las Vegas Raiders at the end of that season. He did get another contract after that with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but that also ended the following season. Nassib announced his retirement in 2023, meaning he was not just the first but the last out player for now to play for an NFL team.

He is not the only player to come out, be celebrated and then lose his job. R.K. Russell came out as bisexual and saw his job chances in the NFL evaporate. Host Celeste Headlee speaks to Russell about his experience with the league.

This article was originally published on WBUR.org.