One week after Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Carl Nassib came out as gay —making him the first active NFL player to do so—and just as Pride month comes to a close, the NFL is out with a new spot supporting Nassib and everyone in the LGBTQIA+ community.

“Football is gay,” the spot starts, accompanied by the parade-like sounds of drums and cheering.

From there, the spot goes on to pronounce that “Football is lesbian,” “Football is transgender,” “Football is for everyone,” and finally, “Football is everything.” The piece first aired during the NBA Conference Finals.

“This spot is about celebrating Pride, and the importance of inclusion,” said NFL Chief Marketing Officer and Executive Vice President Tim Ellis in a statement. “It’s imperative that we use our voice and leverage the NFL platform to drive positive change, which includes supporting what our players care about and what they stand for.”

The NFL worked with Los Angeles-based ad agency 72andSunny and non-profit LGBTQ+ youth advocacy association The Trevor Project to produce the spot. Both Nassib and the NFL have donated to The Trevor Project, which works to provide crisis intervention and prevent suicide among LGBTQ youth.

READ MORE: Adweek

Tags: 72andsunny nfl the trevor project


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