Well I am taking time out of my normal recruiting information to embrace a major development in the world of sports. This I believe will be the biggest forward movement for the LGBTQ community in a place we would not usually expect it to start. I also believe The Time is Now The Time is Right so lets take this ball and make sure we all score on this drive.
announcement from a five year current NFL vet. Before I cover what most of you have already heard over the last few days I wanted to center on maybe some points that might be over looked or maybe not even thought of by many. A walk on at Penn State Carl Nassib didn't take long to show the coaches of the Nittany Lions that he belonged there. Not only did Carl earn the right to be converted from walk on to full ride scholarship player and a solid starter for one of the best defensive units in the country he was the hands down winner of the Lombardi award. This is given to the best lineman in the country. This by no means is the biggest impact Carl Nassib would make.
Draft day after two rounds of the draft Carl was still on the board almost unheard of for a Lombard winner. On day two of the draft in the third round Carl Nassib would hear his name called for the 65 overall pick of the 2015 NFL draft by the Cleveland Browns. But wait this still isn't Carl's biggest moment. Carl would go on to impress coaches and fans with his athletic ability, drive and work ethic. Fast forward to today where we find Carl Nassib a fiver year NFL VET with a new two year contract playing for the AFC Las Vegas Raiders of the NFL. At five years he has already past many of the draft picks before and after his selection that are no longer in the NFL. Wait we are still not at his biggest moment!
Now on 6/21/21 Carl Nassib through an Instagram post announces to the world that he is gay. This would be to many a big moment. This would be news so many were waiting for. This announcement wasn't to keep him from getting cut or to be on some reality TV show or to make a name for himself because Carl has done this all his life Carl has done this all thro High School, college and into the pros. Carl felt he had a reasonability to himself the ones to follow in his footsteps the ones that blazed the trail before him. Yet Carl still isn't taking the spot light. Taking the time to let everyone know this wasn't for fame or fortune for himself and he wish he didn't have to but again for others he wanted to say I am gay I have a great life and partner. He has the love and support of great family and friends and he has the best job in the world. But like all the first and great accomplishments Carl Nassib has accrued through his football life he still hasn't hit the biggest eye opener yet. Understand walk on to scholarship player, working into the starting line up in power five football to the best defensive player in the country and than to be selected 65 overall in the third round of the NFL draft to a five year NFL VET.
Now with the world ready to embrace Carl, ridicule him, many would praise him and just as many would turn their heads. Than Carl would do what I believe was and will be his biggest moment Carl took the spotlight off him being the first current GAY NFL football player in the NFL and shared with everyone something called the TREVOR PROJECT . This is a group helps 1.8 million LGBTQ youth with suicide prevention. Founded in 1998 for many this was the first time they would hear about it. Yes Carl Nassib again proved to everyone how special, athletically talented, unselfish and humble he is and always has been. Putting the TREVOR PROJECT front and forward than giving a $100,000.00 donation. This would be Carl's biggest moment todate. Something tells me he isn't finished yet.
Now my thoughts on the opportunity we have in front of us. Many of you will follow and donate money to the Trevor Project. That's great they will need it. But for our youth our LGBTQ youth this is the time for Mom's and Dads to connect with their student athletes and not ask are you? Its time to say ITS ok to be you . Its ok to be LGBTQ its your time to teach your children about working with, playing with and going to school with members of the LGBTQ community. Dad's and coaches you are the mentors to our youth and you don't want to be the parent that says I DIDN'T KNOW or I DIDN'T SEE THE SIGNS or I DID'T MEAN MY KID. It doesn't have to be to late. When I heard the news I took to social media FB, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn asking coaches and trainers to talk about this. The ones I know have pod casts I messaged this needs to be talked about and shared embraced and celebrated. This is the wall between East and West Germany, or the Peace agreement between Israel and Palestine. Today June 22 2021 can be our biggest moment in bridging the gap between the LGBTQ community and your community. A moment so ready to be addressed in what is the largest homophobic stage there is SPORTS Professional Athletes and the coaching ranks. A stage where men and women are judged by their Manhood or womanhood by their ability to reduce their opponent into submission and stand above them as conquerors. Its about ones ability their right to compete and their right to be who they are with no fear of backlash or retaliation because of their sexually preference or chosen lifestyle.
After I post this BLOG I am going to contact the Trevor Project and see how I can make a positive contribution for their organization. I know as I visit High School student athletes and their coaches, college athletes and their coaches and athletic Directors at all levels I will be asking what has their program done with this once in a life time opportunity for change and how are they communicating it to staff and players. People like me can offer workshops(with the guidance of the Trevor Project) to ensure we have the right information, resources and knowledge to be a positive voice for our LGBTQ community with the focus on the youth. I am so excited this is happening now. I am proud that Carl Nassib a Penn State Nittany Lion stood up and said hey I am a NFL football player and I am gay. I am even more proud that he than said let me tell you about the TREVOR PROJECT. Carl I know you don't want the spotlight on you. I am here to tell you that's not a spotlight that is a guiding light and that is something special only to be shined on someone special.
Kenneth Grover is a sports photographer, Recruiter, Championship Ring Designer and father of three student athletes. Working with current and former NFL players and coaches and high school student athletes and their coaches I know the time was right for this. I believe there are far more people ready to have these conversations than some would lead you to believe. Please remember the church doesn't rule you. Its the people that make up the church. Its the people that take to the the community and share their thoughts and lead by example by loving everyone . While I know there will be some that try to make themselves appear to be strong and in numbers it will be all smoke and mirrors. Follow your hearts open your hearts talk to our youth start the conversation. Call the Trevor Project for information on how to facilitate. You can reach the Trevor Project at 1 866 488 7386.
