Carl Nassib, a defensive end for the Las Vegas Raiders, has come out as gay in a historic first.

Nassib, 28, on Monday said he made the announcement to increase visibility, and in doing so, made history as the first openly gay active player in the NFL.

The athlete, speaking from his home in West Chester, Pennsylvania, said he finally felt comfortable enough to "get it off my chest."

"I actually hope that one day videos like this and the whole coming out process are just not necessary, but until then, I am going to do my best and do my part to cultivate a culture that is accepting, that is compassionate," Nassib said, announcing a $100,000 donation to the Trevor Project, a LGBTQ youth suicide prevention organization.

"The NFL family is proud of you, Carl," the league said Monday evening in a tweet, with the NFL logo in a rainbow for LGBTQ pride month. (To read the full article, Click Here.)