In a headline that’s making waves in both sports and LGBTQ+ circles, NFL star Christian Wilkins was reportedly released by the Las Vegas Raiders after allegedly kissing a teammate on top of his head. Now, before you start imagining a full-on love affair in the locker room, it’s important to note that this kiss was not the end of the story. It wasn’t a passionate moment of shared affection, but rather a gesture that one unnamed teammate apparently found offensive.
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Yes, you read that right. A kiss on the head. Offensive.
A source confirmed the incident to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, setting the stage for some serious locker room drama, but in true NFL fashion, there’s more to this saga than just an awkward peck.
Wilkins, a defensive tackle known for his fiery play and positive energy, was recovering from a fracture in his left foot. And while kisses might be a point of contention, it was his foot that became the real source of conflict. According to ESPN, despite the remaining $35.2 million of guaranteed money on his contract, the Raiders decided to void the agreement.
What prompted this? Well, sources indicate that Wilkins, who had been rehabbing his injury, refused to undergo an additional procedure that the Raiders had requested to help his recovery. Now, it’s important to note that there’s no shortage of players in the NFL who’ve found themselves sidelined by injuries, but when you’re walking away from tens of millions, you better have a pretty strong reason. Wilkins’ refusal to follow the Raiders’ medical advice led to his release under a “terminated vested veteran” designation, which then sparked a grievance with the NFL Players Association.
If you think that’s the end of it, though, there’s more.
A spokesperson from the Raiders offered this clinical take on the situation:
“We have decided that it is in the best interests of the organisation to move on from Christian Wilkins and he has been informed of his release from the team. This franchise has a commitment to excellence on and off the field. With no clear path or plan for future return to play from Christian, this transaction is necessary for the entire organisation to move forward and prepare for the new season.”
Basically, the Raiders are saying that they need to move forward, even if the future doesn’t include a star player or a kissable moment.
Now, let’s zoom out a bit. Wilkins’ release comes just a couple of years after the Raiders made headlines by cutting Carl Nassib, the first openly gay active player in the NFL. Nassib’s coming out video in 2021 was groundbreaking. “It was one of the most stressful things I’ve ever done,” he confessed in a later video, reflecting on his decision to be the face of LGBTQ+ inclusion in a sport known for its macho culture. If anything, Nassib’s journey highlighted how far the league, and perhaps its fans, still have to go when it comes to inclusivity and understanding.
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So, what does all this say about the NFL and its evolving attitudes toward LGBTQ+ athletes, team dynamics, and “off-field” behavior? The kiss? Sure, it’s the kind of human moment that some might dismiss as harmless, while others may view it as a threat to some unspoken bro code. But the foot injury? That’s where the real drama lies, reminding us that in the NFL, even the most bizarre incidents—like kissing a teammate—are often overshadowed by contractual disputes, medical politics, and the relentless pressure to perform.
In the end, Wilkins may have been released for medical reasons, but the lingering questions about how far the league will go in fostering an environment of openness and acceptance remain. For now, the NFL’s commitment to “excellence on and off the field” is in full play—but maybe the field needs a little more room for diversity, and a little less room for judgment about what constitutes “appropriate” behavior in the locker room.
It’s safe to say, the kiss wasn’t the real problem. The real issue? We’re still figuring out what it means to be human in a hyper-masculine space where affection—whether it’s a kiss or a hand on the shoulder—has the potential to shake things up more than any missed tackle ever could.