American pro teams sports has its first openly gay male athlete, and it is no surprise that he is from the NBA.
In a first-person story that will adorn the cover of this week’s issue of Sports Illustrated, veteran center Jason Collins has come out, flatly stating that he is “happy to start the conversation.”
Collins said that he arrived at his decision to disclose his sexuality during the 2011 lockout, when his preparation routine for the following season was disrupted and provided the opportunity for introspection, and ultimately courage.
The first relative I came out to was my aunt Teri, a superior court judge in San Francisco. Her reaction surprised me. “I’ve known you were gay for years,” she said. From that moment on I was comfortable in my own skin. In her presence I ignored my censor button for the first time. She gave me support. The relief I felt was a sweet release. Imagine you’re in the oven, baking. Some of us know and accept our sexuality right away and some need more time to cook. I should know — I baked for 33 years.
Collins said he also drew inspiration from Joe Kennedy, a former roommate at Stanford, part of America’s unofficial royal family and now a congressman in Massachusetts who proudly marched in that state’s Gay Parade in 2012.
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 is nowhere near a star. He is a fringe player who has hung on through size, good practice habits, solid post defense and a willingness to ply his wares for any team.
But he is an active player, having begun the season in Boston and being dealt to Washington at the trading deadline. And there is no reason to believe that he will not latch on somewhere next season. Size will always be a consideration in the NBA.
And now, thanks to Jason Collins, maybe open sexual preference won’t be, in all team sports.
“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,” Commissioner David 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.”
Washington Wizards president Ernie Grunfeld said, “We are extremely proud of Jason and support his decision to live his life proudly and openly. He has been a leader on and off the court and an outstanding teammate throughout his NBA career. Those qualities will continue to serve him both as a player and as a positive role model for others of all sexual orientation.”
And this from Kobe Bryant, once fined for using a gay slur toward a referee:
It takes remarkable courage to go against the grain in this day and age. Politics are as polarized as they have ever been, rooted in intransigent religious and social doctrines that have become dangerously violent in some instances.
Collins is a 34-year-old free agent who can’t score in an empty gym; the possibility does exist that he may not play again in the NBA. But even if he doesn’t, his brave declaration helps move team sports closer to the only question that should really matter when evaluating a player.
Can you play?
Not mentioned, except as a caption on ESPN, is that Identical Twin brother Jarron (who IS retired), was “Astounded” when Jason told him. As Jason explained, he was influenced by his Uncle who WAS gay. Jarron wasn’t influenced. Jarron didn’t CHOOSE to be gay.
The bottom line is if a single member of the US Supreme Court reads the details of this story, they will realize this is almost indisputable evidence that being Gay is a CHOICE, not determined at birth, unlike the Inter-Racial marriage argument that was presented to the Supreme Court. Environment therefore determines if one is Gay and Jason Collins inadvertently has opened up a much needed National discussion, that may lead to Civil Unions rather than Experimenting with Gay Marriage.
If being gay was a choice, who in their right mind would choose such a thing only to being insulted and ridiculed by people like you? You are a sick individual to even think in such convoluted terms in today’s society. Go thump your bible where human decency and acceptance can have peace and breathing room to grow. Your hot air is killing all of our chances at a better world.
7 years ago John Amaechi “came out” and it has had no effect. Sure he had just retired, but then Jason Collins is 1 step from retirement, and may have already played his last game, just like Amaechi.
The Media (ESPN) and politicians (Hillary) are going through its usual Political Correctness, as it has been for past 10 years, giving in to the extremely powerful Gay community and young people who are innocent and sympathetic but ignorant of the implications, should Gays be allowed to Marry rather than a Civil Union (which is the ONLY question this year).