For the first time in American sports, a currently active male athlete from a major American team sport has come out openly as gay. Jason Collins, a 12-year NBA veteran and member of the Washington Wizards, publically announced that he was gay last month through Sports Illustrated."I'm a 34-year-old NBA center. I'm black. And I'm gay," said Collins, the 7’0” center who has been on several teams throughout his long career in the NBA. Collins twin brother, Jarron, who also plays in the NBA, was reportedly “astonished” to hear the news. "I won't lie. I had no idea. We talked. He answered my questions. I hugged him and I digested what he had told me. He's my brother, he's a great guy, and I want him to be happy. I'll love him and I'll support him and, if necessary, I'll protect him.""When I was younger I dated women. I even got engaged,” said Collins in his announcement. “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.""I wish I wasn't the kid in the classroom raising his hand and saying, 'I'm different,' " Collins said. "If I had my way, someone else would have already done this. Nobody has, which is why I'm raising my hand."Even though Collins has been publically supported by celebrities including Kobe Bryant, Bill Clinton, and Oprah, the timeliness of his announcement has raised several controversial questions. He is now a free agent and hopes to continue playing basketball, but whether this announcement will alter his future in the NBA is still uncertain. "He doesn't want to get on a team because he's the gay guy, and this is a political thing and a political machine or political maneuver," said his brother Jarron. Collins said he wants neither sympathy nor discrimination. He just wants to play basketball and feel free doing so.NBA Commissioner David Stern has assured Collins he will be able to continue his basketball career. Stern said, "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."
Writer: Austin Meldrum ~ Copy Editor
