#12: Carl Nassib
Year They Came Out of the Closet: 2021
The NFL star made waves when he became the first openly gay active player in the league during a recent interview. Carl Nassib, who had already played five seasons before coming out, initially feared his sexuality might overshadow his career.

However, he remains unfazed by public focus, stating, “I was born this way. It’s effortless for me. I don’t wake up choosing to be gay; I choose to work hard and improve each day.” Despite not loving the spotlight, Nassib refuses to hide who he is, adding, “I don’t want to feel like I’m avoiding something. I’m not.”