Collins (right)
April 28, 2013
NBA veteran Jason Collins comes out as gay
NEW YORK (AP) — NBA veteran centre Jason Collins has become the first active male professional athlete in the major four American sports leagues to come out as gay.
Collins wrote a first-person account posted Monday on Sports Illustrated’s website.
The 34-year-old Collins has played for six NBA teams in 12 seasons. He finished this past season with the Washington Wizards and is now a free agent. He says he wants to continue playing.
Collins wrote: “If I had my way, someone else would have already done this. Nobody has, which is why I’m raising my hand.”
Collins played in a Final Four for Stanford and reached two NBA Finals. His twin brother, Jarron, was also a longtime NBA centre. Jason says he came out to his brother last summer.
