“I’m a 34-year-old NBA center. I’m black. And I’m gay.”
In a personal, wonderfully written piece for Sports Illustrated, 34-year-old free agent and former New Jersey Nets center Jason Collins came out as the first active gay basketball player in the history of the NBA. Collins, who wishes to continue to play basketball, discusses his journey of self-discovery, choosing to come out ended only after the season ended so as not to be a personal distraction.
Collins, who said he chose the number 98 as a private homage to Matthew Shepard, has received an early outpouring of support from NBA players and officials:
I am so proud of my bro @jasoncollins34 for being real. #FTheHaters bit.ly/12J9el5
— Baron Davis (@Baron_Davis) April 29, 2013
Jason Collins much respect,Stay up my guy!
— Kenny Anderson (@chibbs_1) April 29, 2013
As a firm supporter of the LGBTT, of course I support & applaud @jasoncollins34 brave decision. Facing stigma head on, thank you.#BeWell
— Royce White (@Highway_30) April 29, 2013
Proud of @jasoncollins34. Don’t suffocate who u r because of the ignorance of others #courage #support #mambaarmystandup #BYOU
— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) April 29, 2013
Nets assistant General Manager Bobby Marks also tweeted in support of Collins:
Very proud of my friend and former Nets player Jason Collins for announcing he is Gay
— Bobby Marks (@jakecooper) April 29, 2013
Here is a full statement from NBA commissioner David Stern:
As Adam Silver and I said to Jason, we have known the Collins family since Jason and Jarron joined the NBA in 2001 and they have been exemplary members of the NBA family. Jason has been a widely respected player and teammate throughout his career and we are proud he has assumed the leadership mantle on this very important issue.
Former President Bill Clinton’s daughter Chelsea went to Stanford with Collins, and he similarly tweeted his support:
I’m proud to call Jason Collins a friend. wjcf.co/154piCi
— Bill Clinton (@billclinton) April 29, 2013
Collins was acquired by the Nets on a draft-day trade in 2001, playing 7 1/2 seasons with the Nets before a trade sent him to the Memphis Grizzlies in February of 2008. He was the team’s starting center in their back-to-back NBA Finals appearances, and routinely lauded as one of the game’s best interior defenders. Though he got metaphorically mauled by Shaquille O’Neal, he reminded Shaq in the open letter that his “flopping has nothing to do with being gay.” He played 510 games with the Nets (T-3rd most in franchise history), averaging 4.4 points and 4.5 rebounds per game with the franchise.
Link to Collins’s open letter below.
Read More: NBA player Jason Collins says he is gay – The Magazine – SI.com
Read More: Jason Collins reveals he is gay: How story came together for SI – The Magazine – SI.com>/a>
