NFL defensive tackle Christian Wilkins has reportedly been released by the Las Vegas Raiders—just months after joining the team—following an alleged incident in which he kissed a teammate on the top of his head. According to a source who spoke with ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the teammate found the gesture offensive.
While the kiss has raised eyebrows across the league and among LGBTQ fans, sources confirm it wasn’t the only reason behind Wilkins’ dismissal. Wilkins, a former Miami Dolphins standout, had been recovering from a left foot fracture. ESPN reports that the Raiders voided the remaining $35.2 million of guaranteed money on his contract due to what they described as poor handling of his rehab. NFL Media noted that Wilkins declined to undergo a recommended second procedure on his foot.
The team released him under a “terminated vested veteran” status, prompting Wilkins to file a grievance through the Players Association.
A Raiders spokesperson issued a statement saying,
“This franchise has a commitment to excellence on and off the field…this transaction is necessary for the entire organisation to move forward and prepare for the new season.”
But the move is being viewed with increased skepticism given the franchise’s recent anti-LGBTQ history. In 2022, the Raiders released Carl Nassib—the NFL’s first openly gay active player—less than a year after he came out publicly in a powerful Instagram video. Whether the head kiss was a harmless gesture or a coded flashpoint in a sport still grappling with queer inclusion, the LGBTQ community is watching closely.
