By Page Six | Created at 2026-09-18 14:42:41 | Updated at 2026-09-18 15:26:44
57 minutes ago
Orville Peck dished on his hookup with an NFL player in “Ring the Bell.”
In the new song off the country singer’s “Mule” album, out Friday, he sings, “I love the Lakers, the Mets and the Longhorns, made out with a guy on the [Las Vegas] Raiders.”
The 38-year-old revealed to Variety on Thursday that the mystery athlete was “very, very honored” to be featured in the lyrics.
“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, known for covering his face with a Western fringe mask, clarified.
The musician recalled telling the individual in question, “Look, I’m gonna keep it sort of ambiguous and mysterious, but I would like to include this in this song.”
Peck insisted he “would never have done it if it were somebody who was hiding or fearful of it coming out.”
The “Dead of Night” hitmaker explained, “This person would have probably allowed me to say their name if I wanted, but I didn’t think it was necessary. 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.”
The outlet questioned Peck on whether he was referring to Carl Nassib, a retired defensive end who came out as gay while playing for the Raiders in 2021.
Peck, however, would not confirm nor deny the identity of his makeout partner.
He went on to describe the “deep wound[s]” bared in “Mule,” which was meant to be a “thank-you to many people and an apology to some people and an explanation to other people” after Peck’s 2023 suicide attempt and rehab stay.
The now-sober star asked, “What better therapy is there than getting up and being able to express these songs?”
“Then there are people listening and relating, and they’re sharing their pain,” Peck, who can “barely make it through some of the songs” while rehearsing, said. “It’s a spiritual experience.”
The performer has been out as a gay man since he launched his career with “Pony” in 2019.
His subsequent records were “Bronco” and “Stampede,” out in 2022 and 2024, respectively.
When announcing “Mule” in July, Peck told his Instagram followers, “This record is a chronological account of the year I lost my way.”
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, contact the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988.
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