NFL Hall of Fame defensive end Bruce Smith recently shared that there was at least one gay player on his team and it was never an issue with the rest of the players.

Smith was a part of the legendary Buffalo Bills in the 1990s that made four consecutive trips to the Super Bowl but came up short in each appearance.

According to Smith, the atmosphere of the Buffalo Bills locker room emphasized how a player performed on the field and not their sexual orientation.

“We had a gay player in our locker room,” Smith told TMZ. “I think it was the mid-to-late ’90s and I think we might have had two but that wasn’t what we were focused on.”

“We were focused on winning games and each and every person that was in that locker room contributing to the goal at hand which was winning football games. None of that other stuff mattered. This was about winning football games and trying to be a good person,” Smith added.

Smith’s comments came after Las Vegas Raiders defensive lineman Carl Nassib announced that he was gay. Smith supported Nassib’s decision to disclose his sexual orientation.

Nassib became the first active and openly gay player in the NFL. Nassib said he hopes one day that video announcements will no longer be necessary as the sports world becomes more inclusive.

"Representation matters. We share his hope that someday soon statements like his will no longer be newsworthy as we march toward full equality for the LGBTQ+ community. We wish Carl the best of luck this coming season,” commissioner Roger Goodell’s official statement read.

Standing in solidarity with Nassib and the LGBTQ+ community, the NFL released a video saying "football is gay" in addition to a pride-themed logo.

"Football is lesbian. Football is beautiful. Football is queer. Football is life. Football is exciting. Football is culture. Football is transgender," the video states.

Smith believes that inclusion in the NFL and society is important for progress.

"Obviously, we like to see the inclusion part," he said. "I like to see folks that understand that the world is changing and you have to embrace those that may be a little bit different and it's okay."

Carl Nassib

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