His name is Jason Collins and this is his 12th season in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He most recently played for the Washington Wizards after breaking into the league during the 2001-'02 season with the New Jersey Nets, and then playing for Memphis, Minnesota, Atlanta and Boston.
His pro career has spanned more than 700 games, and he's started more than half of them.
His career statistics—from points per games to blocks per game, and everything in between—are being added to on a nightly basis. And that truly is the story, today.
Collins, who grew up in Southern California, went to Stanford University and was the 18th overall draft pick in the 2001 NBA Draft, is The First. On Monday morning, April 29, Collins did something that no other active NBA player has ever done. Nor any Major League Baseball (MLB) player. Or anyone from the National Football League (NFL) or National Hockey League (NHL).
Collins told Sports Illustrated that he's gay, and by still being active, he instantly vaulted to Jackie Robinson stature, as Collins is the first athlete from one of the big four male team sports to reveal—while active—that he's gay.
Collins appears on the cover of the May 6 issue of Sports Illustrated, with the headline: The Gay Athlete.
"I'm a 34-year-old NBA center. I'm black. And I'm gay," Collins said in Sports Illustrated. "I didn't set out to be the first openly gay athlete playing in a major American team sport. But since I am, I'm happy to start the conversation. I wish I wasn't the kid in the classroom raising his hand and saying, 'I'm different.' If I had my way, someone else would have already done this. Nobody has, which is why I'm raising my hand."
Collins has won two state high school championships, played in the NCAA Final Four, and played in nine playoffs in 12 NBA seasons. His off-the-court world is now the focus.
"Now I'm a free agent, literally and figuratively," he wrote in Sports Illustrated. "I've reached that enviable state in life in which I can do pretty much what I want. And what I want is to continue to play basketball. I still love the game, and I still have something to offer. My coaches and teammates recognize that. At the same time, I want to be genuine and authentic and truthful.
"Why am I coming out now? Well, I started thinking about this in 2011 during the NBA player lockout. I'm a creature of routine. When the regular season ends I immediately dedicate myself to getting game ready for the opener of the next campaign in the fall. But the lockout wreaked havoc on my habits and forced me to confront who I really am and what I really want. With the season delayed, I trained and worked out. But I lacked the distraction that basketball had always provided."
Collins told SI that the first relative he came out to was an aunt, Teri, a superior court judge in San Francisco. Collins revealed in SI that, when younger, he dated women—and even got engaged. "I thought I had to live a certain way. I thought I needed to marry a woman and raise kids with her. I kept telling myself the sky was red, but I always knew it was blue," he wrote.
"I realized I needed to go public when Joe Kennedy, my old roommate at Stanford and now a Massachusetts congressman, told me he had just marched in Boston's 2012 Gay Pride Parade. I'm seldom jealous of others, but hearing what Joe had done filled me with envy. I was proud of him for participating but angry that as a closeted gay man I couldn't even cheer my straight friend on as a spectator. If I'd been questioned, I would have concocted half truths. What a shame to have to lie at a celebration of pride. I want to do the right thing and not hide anymore. I want to march for tolerance, acceptance and understanding. I want to take a stand and say, 'Me, too.'"
Collins came out to Kennedy a few weeks ago, and the two will be side by side in Boston's Pride Parade on June 8, Collins said.
Collins' coming-out immediately rocked social media, and beyond.
Former President Bill Clinton, whose daughter Chelsea attended Stanford with Collins, supported Collins in a statement.
"Jason's announcement today is an important moment for professional sports and in the history of the LGBT community," Clinton said. "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."
Support for Collins doesn't come any bigger than from Kobe Bryant, not only one of the best active NBA players but one of the best ever. Bryant on Monday Tweeted: "Proud of @jasoncollins34. Don't suffocate who u r because of the ignorance of others #courage #support #mambaarmystandup #BYOU."
Support for Collins, naturally, rang loud throughout Chicago's LGBT community.
"I'm very proud to see the first active [male] professional athlete in the U.S. come out of the closet," Andrew Sobotka said. "Jason Collins will be known as a hero to fellow gay athletes everywhere. He'll especially be admired by gay youth who dream of being able to play sports and reconcile their gay identity with their identity as an athlete."
"This is a very inspiring development and I'm proud that Jason is able to come out in such a high profile position. Jason's decision will serve as an inspiration for youth athletes, both LGBTQ and allies, as well as a springboard for major sports athletes to be who they are both on and off the court/field/ice/etc," said Anthony Alfano.
Another Chicago-area resident who has played softball for years in the predominantly gay Chicago Metropolitan Sports Association wrote on Facebook: "Congrats to Jason Collins. An important day for me that needed to happen."
Jeff Kagan, an openly gay New York hockey player, went to Facebook Monday with his sporting thoughts: "Tim Tebow released from the [New York] Jets, and now the first openly gay athlete (Jason Collins of the NBA's) comes out! HAPPY MONDAY!!!!"
Chad Griffin, the president of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), issued a statement Monday in support of Collins:
"With his brave and honest announcement today, Jason Collins has forever changed the face of sports. No longer will prejudice and fear force gay athletes to remain silent about a fundamental part of their lives. By coming out and living openly while still an active NBA player, Collins has courageously shown the world that one's sexual orientation is no longer an impediment to achieving one's goals, even at the highest levels of professional sports.
"Jason Collins' commitment to living openly is a monumental step forward toward greater equality and he immediately becomes a role model for youth all across this country. His actions today tell LGBT young people that what will define our success in life is our character and dedication, not our sexual orientation. At a moment when millions are reflecting on the life and legacy of Jackie Robinson, Jason Collins is a hero for our own times.
"Today's announcement again shows that gay Americans are our teachers, police officers, nurses, lawyers and even our professional athletes. We contribute to every aspect of our American community and deserve the same equal rights as every American."
Collins joins a list of professional male athletes who have come out, all after retiring, including John Amaechi (NBA), Billy Bean (MLB), Glenn Burke (MLB), Esera Tuaolo (NFL), David Kopay (NFL), Roy Simmons (NFL) and Jerry Smith (NFL). NBA front-office executive Rick Welts, now the president and chief of operations for the NBA's Golden State Warriors, has come out, as did (after retiring) baseball umpire Dave Pallone.
Many lesbians have come out while still active in their sports, including basketball's No. 1 draft pick this year, Brittney Griner, whose coming out did not garner nearly as much media coverage as Collins' already has.
"Today is a huge day for all athletes," Bean wrote on Facebook. "Congratulations Jason Collins. Your family just got a lot BIGGER !! Proud of you !!"
Tuaolo's Facebook response was: "Mark this day in history when Jason Collins stepped out of the locker room closet as the first openly gay athlete in a major American team sport. I'm proud of you my brother."
Amaechi Tweeted congratulations to Collins and added, "society couldn't hope for a more eloquent & positive role model."
NBA All-Star Steve Nash Tweeted: "The time has come. Maximum respect."
Former NBA player and current broadcaster Greg Anthony Tweeted: "Sports has always been the most accepting community of those who are different! I don't think it will be any less for @JasonCollins34!"
Jason Kidd on Twitter said that Collins' sexuality "doesn't change the fact that he is a great friend and was a great teammate."
Dwayne Wade Tweeted, "Jason Collins showed a lot of courage today and I respect him for taking a stand and choosing to live in his truth."
Chicago resident Brian Walker, who played college football, said Collins' coming-out is proof that "times are a changing and I think they are going to continue to change rapidly, in both professional and collegiate sports."
Walker, who plays flag football in CMSA, added: "There are just too many former and current gay athletes out there for people to think that some wouldn't be able to reach the highest levels of competition. We already know this is true across all sports, but now hopefully the timing is right for those gay professional athletes to step forward.
"Isn't in interesting that we have a film like '42' coming out now that shows how hard it was for Black athletes to break into the pros ... and doesn't it seem so silly looking back at those times and attitudes."
Brian Hull, who plays for the Chicago Gay Hockey Association (CGHA) and other CMSA sports, said Collins' coming-out is "an incredible day."
"For all of us gay athletes who were too intimidated to follow our dreams of playing Division I college or professional sports as an out and proud gay man, it's a bit overwhelming to think about how our next generation of athletes will have gay teammates on the field and in their locker room without giving it a second thought," Hull said. "Jason Collins' courage to be the first openly gay pro player is a true inspiration, and hopefully this will open the flood gates for coming out parties across all the major sports leagues."
Bernard Cherkasov, the CEO of Equality Illinois, said, "Aside from the sheer pride in having an openly gay NBA player, Jason Collins' coming-out breaks stereotypes and, importantly, provides a positive role model to so many young people struggling with their identity."
CMSA president Brian Kupersmit is scheduled to be interviewed on multiple TV stations, including CBS, ABC and WGN.
Collins started this season with the Boston Celtics, but was traded to Washington in February. He played a combined 38 games this season.
"The strain of hiding my sexuality became almost unbearable in March, when the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments for and against same-sex marriage," Collins wrote in Sports Illustrated. "Less then three miles from my apartment, nine jurists argued about my happiness and my future. Here was my chance to be heard, and I couldn't say a thing. I didn't want to answer questions and draw attention to myself. Not while I was still playing.
"I've never sought the spotlight. Though I'm coming out to the world, I intend to guard my privacy. I'm making this blanket statement in part to keep rumors and misunderstandings at bay. I hope fans will respect me for raising my hand. And I hope teammates will remember that I've never been an in-your-face kind of guy. All you need to know is that I'm single. I see no need to delve into specifics.
"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."
Vincent A. Pryor, a Chicago resident and former Division I college football player who is gay, went to Facebook in support of Collins and other gay athletes.
"Jason Collins has confirmed what we already know. Gay athletes have been playing in major sports leagues for years. But as the first professional athlete to provide proof of this, I am very grateful to Jason for his courage and for providing a role model to thousands of young gay athletes."
Kupersmit said CMSA welcomes the news of Collins' coming-out and tagged it "a huge step forward."
"Gays and lesbians have been playing sports since the beginning of time. Unfortunately, there comes a time in their lives when they have to decide what is stronger, their love of the game or their personal life," Kupersmit said. "Many love the game so much that they are willing to hide who they are, but today Jason is sending the gay community a clear message to go after your dreams and just be yourself. He really has changed sports forever."
Kupersmit said Collins is the biggest role model for openly gay youth, and also those who are questioning their sexual orientation.
"We see studies all the time that say gay youth abandon sports because the feel bullied or discriminated against. Jason is letting those kids know it is alright to be part of the team and to follow their dreams," Kupersmit said.
But still, Kupersmit added, "It is going to be an adjustment for the sports world, temporarily. At the end of the day, athletes are athletes no matter if they are gay or straight, and fans just want to cheer for their favorite team, not get overly involved in their personal lives. My hope is that Jason finds a team that is accepting of him and allows him to move his career forward playing the game that he loves."
Steve Buckley, the gay Boston sportswriter, summed up Collins' announcement best on Facebook, with perfect NBA wording: "He's gone from being a Wizard to a trailblazer."
See the SI story here: sportsillustrated.cnn.com/magazine/news/20130429/jason-collins-gay-nba-player/ .
