Joe Biden has praised NFL star Carl Nassib and soccer player Kumi Yokoyama for their "courage" after they came out during Pride month.

Nassib, 28, is now the first openly gay active NFL player, while Yokoyama, 27, has revealed that he is transgender, The Sun reports.

Biden tweeted: "To Carl Nassib and Kumi Yokoyama - two prominent inspiring athletes who came out this week: I'm so proud of your courage.

"Because of you, countless kids around the world are seeing themselves in a new light today."

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Las Vegas Raiders star Nassib announced that he is gay in an Instagram video this week.

He said: "I just want to take a quick moment to say that I'm gay. Sadly, I have agonized over this moment for the last 15 years."

He then took the opportunity to thank his coaches and teammates for their support in leading up to this announcement.

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Nassib said: "I stand on the shoulders of giants, incredible people who paved the way for me to have this opportunity.

"I do not know all the history behind the courageous LGBTQ community, but I am eager to learn and to help continue to fight for equality and acceptance."

Yokoyama, the Washington Spirit forward, meanwhile, came out as transgender in a video posted on former teammate Yuki Nagasato's YouTube channel.

"I'm coming out now," he said. "In the future, I want to quit soccer and live as a man."

This is a particularly brave decision as being transgender is not yet legally recognized in Japan, as per the BBC.

He explained that while he is more comfortable with his gender identity now, he was "not enthusiastic" about the prospect of coming out, but decided it was better than living his life "closeted".

Biden's tweet was met with countless messages of support for the two men.

One Twitter user wrote: "This is presidential !!! Bravo to these young men for their courage."

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A second added: "Thank you Mr. President for seeing us and accepting us. LGBT rights are human rights."

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A third wrote: "I read the words before I saw who tweeted them. It's so different having a human being as President."

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Congratulations, Nassib and Yokoyama! Hopefully, your courage will inspire LGTBQ+ people around the world!

Featured image credit: Alamy / Chuck Nacke

Joe Biden praises NFL's Carl Nassib and soccer player Kumi Yokoyama for 'courage' as they come out