Basketball center Jason Collins on Monday became the first active player in a major American professional team sport to reveal he is gay - a groundbreaking disclosure greeted with broad support. Collins, a 34-year-old free agent who has played for six NBA teams over the past 12 seasons, went public with his sexuality in an essay published on Sports Illustrated magazine's website.
"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," Collins said."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."
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| Jason Collins |
Among those backing Collins was US President Barack Obama. A White House aide told AFP: "The President called Jason Collins to express his support and said he was impressed by his courage."The revelation will focus attention on Collins and has drawn comparisons to the way the spotlight shone on Jackie Robinson in 1947 when he Major League Baseball's first black player.
Collins can expect homophobic taunts from NBA game hecklers the way Robinson endured racial insults without fighting back."I don't mind if they heckle me. I've been booed before," Collins said."Everyone is terrified of the unknown, but most of us don't want to return to a time when minorities were openly discriminated against."
Golden State Warriors president Rick Welts, the highest-ranked NBA executive who is openly gay, said he was confident Collins would not have trouble landing a new contract because of his admission.
Collins, a 7-footer who helped New Jersey reach the 2002 and 2003 NBA Finals, has averaged 3.6 points and 3.8 rebounds over 713 NBA games for New Jersey, Memphis, Minnesota, Atlanta, Boston and Washington.But he has mainly played in reserve roles over the past six seasons.
Collins wore jersey number 98 this past season to honor Matthew Shepard, who died in 1998 after being the victim of an anti-gay hate crime, while averaging 1.1 points and 1.6 rebounds over a combined 38 games for Boston and Washington.
"When I put on my jersey I was making a statement," he said."I still love the game and I still have something to offer. My coaches and teammates recognize that," Collins said. "At the same time, I want to be genuine and authentic and truthful."Collins said years of keeping his sexuality secret took a toll.
"It takes an enormous amount of energy to guard such a big secret," Collins said. "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.
"Each time I tell another person, I feel stronger and sleep a little more soundly."
