Orville Peck's New Song Says He Made Out With a Raiders Player, and He Got Permission First

Orville Peck’s new album“Mule”arrived Friday, and one lyric is already the most talked-about line in country music this month. On the track“Ring the Bell,”Peck sings that he made out with a guy on the Raiders. Turns out the player gave his blessing. Peck told Variety he asked first, and the athlete was, in his words,“very thrilled”about the whole thing.

Peck also said he’d never have included the lyric if the player were closeted or worried about being exposed. He’s staying quiet on the identity, declining to confirm or deny speculation around Carl Nassib, who came out as gay while playing for the Raiders in 2021. It’s a very specific kind of respect: get the green light, keep the name out of it.

Beyond the buzz,“Mule”digs into something much heavier. Peck has said the record chronicles the year he lost his way after a 2023 suicide attempt and a rehab stay, calling the music his therapy and a shared experience with listeners. So what’s your read: is a lyric like this fair game once the person says yes, or should some things stay off the track list? Sound off in the comments.