Sports

Veteran NBA center Collins becomes first active openly gay athlete

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Social Links for David Satriano
Published April 29, 2013, 3:46 p.m. ET

Jason Collins, a 12-year NBA veteran who is currently a free agent, became the first openly gay athlete, who is still active, to announce his homosexuality.

In a Sports Illustrated article that debuted on Monday, Collins said he hoped someone else would have done so before him, but felt it was important so that other gay athletes could come forward as well.

“If I had my way, someone else would have already done this. Nobody has, which is why I’m raising my hand,” Collins said.

There have been numerous retired athletes who have come out, but not one that was still playing until Collins did so on Monday. He said he isn’t sure what the reaction will be like from his peers, but hopes it is positive.

“I’ve been asked how other players will respond to my announcement. The simple answer is, I have no idea. I’m a pragmatist. I hope for the best, but plan for the worst,” he said.

Several NBA players took to twitter to show their support for Collins, including current Knicks point guard Jason Kidd, who played with Collins on the Nets.

Former Knicks point guard Baron Davis also tweeted support.

NBA Commissioner David Stern issued the following statement: “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 mantle on this very important issue.”

Former President Bill Clinton, who has known Collins for years, also gave his support to Collins.

“Jason’s announcement today is an important moment for professional sports and in the history of the LGBT community. It is also the straightforward statement of a good man who wants no more than what so many of us seek: to be able to be who we are; to do our work; to build families and to contribute to our communities…I hope that everyone, particularly Jason’s colleagues in the NBA, the media and his many fans extend to him their support and the respect he has earned,” Clinton said in a statement.

Chelsea Clinton, Collins’ former classmate at Stanford also tweeted support.

Collins, 34, said in the article that he dated women when he was younger and was even engaged because he “thought he had to live a certain way” even though he knew he was gay. He said the reason he didn’t come out sooner was because he didn’t want to be a distraction to his teammates.

“Loyalty to my team is the real reason I didn’t come out sooner. When I signed a free-agent contract with Boston last July, I decided to commit myself to the Celtics and not let my personal life become a distraction. When I was traded to the Wizards, the political significance of coming out sunk in. I was ready to open up to the press, but I had to wait until the season was over.”

Collins said he knew he had to let the public know after his former college roommate marched in the Boston Gay Pride Parade in 2012, something he wanted to do but wasn’t ready to deal with the questions he would be asked had he done so. He told members of his family recently, including his aunt, who said she knew he was gay, and his twin brother, Jarron, who was shocked by the announcement, but his whole family has been supportive.

“The most you can do is stand up for what you believe in. I’m much happier since coming out to my friends and family. Being genuine and honest makes me happy,” Collins said.

Kobe Bryant also tweeted support.

Collins played for seven seasons with the Nets before playing for the Grizzlies, Timberwolves, Hawks Celtics and Wizards. He has averaged 3.6 points per game over his career.

His twitter account, which was under 6,000 followers at the start of the day, was up to 35,000 by 3 p.m.