Carolina Panthers linebacker Nic Harris
has posed for the NOH8 Campaign, which raises awareness and funds for
gay rights causes, including ending California's 2008 voter-approved
gay marriage ban, Proposition 8.
The NOH8 Campaign, which is helmed by
photographer-activist Adam Bouska and his partner Jeff Parshley,
photographs celebrities and everyday folks with their mouths duct
taped and the campaign's familiar “NOH8” slogan often written on
one cheek.
In his photograph, the 24-year-old
Harris poses shirtless, wearing neon-blue athletic gloves and holding
a football, and appears to be blocking hate.
Harris is not the first NFL athlete to
pose for the campaign. New York Jets cornerback Antonio Cromartie
and Arizona Cardinals linebacker Isaac Keys have, as well.
Former NFL defensive lineman Esera
Tavai Tuaolo, who announced in 2002 that he's gay on HBO's Real
Sports, also
recently posed for the campaign.
The
campaign received a huge boost in January when NCIS
star Pauley Perrette wore a strapless dress that featured the NOH8
Campaign's logo to the People's Choice Awards in Los Angeles.