Orville Peck Claims He Kissed NFL Player on Las Vegas Raiders

Country singer Orville Peck has shared a detail from his personal life in his latest song, "Ring the Bell," claiming he "made out with a guy on the [Las Vegas] Raiders." The 38-year-old artist told Variety that the NFL player in question was aware of and consenting to being referenced in the lyrics.

Peck, known for his signature face mask, stated in an interview published Thursday that he obtained permission from the individual before including the line in his new album, "Mule," released Friday. "I’m going to preface this by saying that I did receive permission to sing that lyric from the subject in question and he was very thrilled," Peck said. He added that he would not have included the lyric if the person was "hiding or fearful of it coming out."

While Peck did not name the athlete, he suggested that fans could use their "common sense and discovery" to identify the individual. When asked if the player was Carl Nassib, a former Raiders defensive end who publicly came out as gay in 2021, Peck declined to confirm or deny.

"This person would have probably allowed me to say their name if I wanted, but I didn’t think it was necessary," Peck explained. "People can use their own common sense and discovery to try to figure out who it may be, but that’s all I’ll say."

"Ring the Bell" is part of Peck's fourth studio album, "Mule," which he described as a "chronological account of the year I lost my way." The album comes after a period of personal struggle for the singer, including a suicide attempt and subsequent rehabilitation stay in 2023. Peck, who has been openly gay since launching his career in 2019, stated that creating music has been a form of therapy.

"What better therapy is there than getting up and being able to express these songs?" he said. "Then there are people listening and relating, and they’re sharing their pain. It’s a spiritual experience."