Jason Collins (NBA Center) announces that he is gay, altering the landscape of sports

Jason Collins is a free agent. He’s a skilled center that can provide stout defense off of the bench, and he’s a veteran presence. He’s also just become the first openly gay athlete in professional North American team sports.

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Now, after a game-changing interview with Sports Illustrated, Jason Collins has made a sports-altering impact. The free agent center, who played with both Boston and Washington in 2012-13, has announced he is gay. And the calmness and confidence in his revelation befits a man who was always just fine with playing a style of game that left him unnoticed by all but those who were paying close attention.

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No one wants to live in fear. I've always been scared of saying the wrong thing. I don't sleep well. I never have. But each time I tell another person, I feel stronger and sleep a little more soundly. It takes an enormous amount of energy to guard such a big secret. I've endured years of misery and gone to enormous lengths to live a lie. I was certain that my world would fall apart if anyone knew. And yet when I acknowledged my sexuality I felt whole for the first time. I still had the same sense of humor, I still had the same mannerisms and my friends still had my back.

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KOBE BRYANT TWEET - Proud of @jasoncollins34. DOn't suffocate who u r because of the ignorance of others #courage #support

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STEVE NASH TWEET - The time has come. Maximum respect.

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MICHEAL STRAHAN TWEET - So proud of @jasoncollins34 for having the courage to stand up and out for who he is. I support, respect and salute you!!

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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," Stern said in a statement. "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.”

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President Bill Clinton:

I have known Jason Collins since he was Chelsea's classmate and friend at Stanford. 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. For so many members of the LGBT community, these simple goals remain elusive. 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.

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tererun said:

1.)It will be nice when the rush of gay people in sports comes out.
2.) Really, most sports boil down to the completely gay male concept of trying to play grabby with your opponents balls anyway.
3.)Still, it should lead to a number of other players coming out as long as he doesn't get tebowed.
4.)There will be a backlash that will help illustrate the bigotry and hate in america more and more and show how sad and pathetic hating gays really is.

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Hicup said:

Well there goes his career.. But seriously, who cares?


Tim-

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Hicup said:

Well there goes his career.. But seriously, who cares?


Tim-

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Henrin said:

He never had one to begin with. :2razz:

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AGENT J said:

his teammates, his bosses, his friends, his family, president of his league, former president Clinton and i would say everybody that supports equality and wishes people didnt have to live in fear of bigotry. :shrug:
thats just off the top of my head

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Henrin said:

He never had one to begin with. :2razz:

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Gimmesometruth said:

In the 2002–03 NBA season Collins took over the starting center role for the Nets and helped the franchise back to the NBA Finals. Prior to the 2004–05 season, he signed a $25 million contract extension with New Jersey for five more years.

Some "no" career.

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Henrin said:

His so called prime...

2002–03 New Jersey 81 66 23.5 .414 .000 .763 4.5 1.1 .6 .5 5.7
2003–04 New Jersey 78 78 28.5 .424 .000 .739 5.1 2.0 .9 .7 5.9
2004–05 New Jersey 80 80 31.8 .412 .333 .656 6.1 1.3 .9 .9 6.4
2005–06 New Jersey 71 70 26.7 .397 .250 .512 4.8 1.0 .6 .6 3.6
2006–07 New Jersey 80 78 23.1 .364 .000 .465 4.0 .6 .5 .5 2.1

Notice the ****ty numbers and how he lost playing time after just few short years of suck. lol..

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StillBallin75 said:

You can be a fairly unspectacular player statistically and still find a way to have a lengthy productive career if you find the right role. Yeah he's been a journeyman the past eight years or so but he deserves some credit for being able to stick around and get paid.

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Henrin said:

His so called prime...

2002–03 New Jersey 81 66 23.5 .414 .000 .763 4.5 1.1 .6 .5 5.7
2003–04 New Jersey 78 78 28.5 .424 .000 .739 5.1 2.0 .9 .7 5.9
2004–05 New Jersey 80 80 31.8 .412 .333 .656 6.1 1.3 .9 .9 6.4
2005–06 New Jersey 71 70 26.7 .397 .250 .512 4.8 1.0 .6 .6 3.6
2006–07 New Jersey 80 78 23.1 .364 .000 .465 4.0 .6 .5 .5 2.1

Notice the ****ty numbers and how he lost playing time after just few short years of suck. lol..

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jmotivator said:

Long career and long "productive" career aren't the same thing, obviously.

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Hicup said:

.1)Why is it bigotry?
2.)What is it about finding two men engaged in a lip lock disgusting, is bigoted?
3.) The thought of two men having anal sex causing other men to wince at that thought is now bigoted? Really?
4.)I know the narrative is to paint everyone a bigot that doesn't openly show love for the queer men, but lets be honest here, even people who seem indifferent on the subject wince at that visual.
5.) I would think that those that do not, are the weird one's, not the reverse.


Tim-

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StillBallin75 said:

And I'm sure the amount of dough he made was productive in his eyes lol.

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AGENT J said:

Y! SPORTS




Why NBA center Jason Collins is coming out now
NBA player Jason Collins says he is gay - The Magazine - SI.com



awesome! Many people arent so lucky

Kobe Bryant, Bill Clinton, David Stern and others support Jason Collins
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nba-ball-dont-lie/kobe-bryant-bill-clinton-david-stern-others-support-163319934.html










Very brave, VERY BRAVE

glad to see he has some support too!

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jmotivator said:

That landscape of sports will change? Is he planning to have sex on the court?

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danarhea said:

I can't believe that everybody is so surprised at his coming out. After all, he has been putting his hands on balls for years. :mrgreen:

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Josie said:

I don't see why this is a big deal. Maybe if this was 1999 it would be, but "coming out" isn't gasp-worthy anymore.

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Posted: 04/02/2013
Retired NBA coach Phil Jackson sounded off on the possibility of professional gay male athletes in a new interview with HuffPost Live.

Jackson, who served as head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers and the Chicago Bulls, said he'd "never run into" a gay professional basketball player throughout his career.

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tererun said:

No, but he might try and grab some guys balls and dribble them. he might also try and sing a few balls into the other teams bucket. let us not even get into the offsides charges. Letting gays into the sport is just going to make every bit of sports announcing completely sexual and perverted.

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