Jason Collins
Jason Collins
Jason Paul Collinsis an American retired professional basketball player who played 13 seasons in the National Basketball Association. He played college basketball for Stanford University where he was an All-American in 2000–01, before being drafted 18th overall pick in the 2001 NBA draft by the Houston Rockets. He went on to play for the New Jersey Nets, Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves, Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Washington Wizards and Brooklyn Nets...
ProfessionBasketball Player
Date of Birth2 December 1978
CityLos Angeles, CA
We need to get our heads out of our (butts).
Well, Jermaine O'Neal shooting jumpers is what we want. We just have to do a better job putting a hand in his face.
When you're guarding him, it's like pushing a wall for 48 minutes or however long you're in there. He really tries to lean on you. I just tried to do a good job pushing him and make him shoot over me. Whenever he's going to turn to the basket, just stick my chin there or my chest, and hold my position.
When I was younger I dated women. I 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.
Openness may not completely disarm prejudice, but it's a good place to start.
I'm a veteran, and I've earned the right to be heard. I'll lead by example and show that gay players are no different from straight ones. I'm not the loudest person in the room, but I'll speak up when something isn't right. And try to make everyone laugh.
I knew that I was choosing the road less traveled but I'm not walking it alone.
Some people insist they've never met a gay person. But Three Degrees of Jason Collins dictates that no NBA player can claim that anymore. Pro basketball is a family. And pretty much every family I know has a brother, sister or cousin who's gay. In the brotherhood of the NBA, I just happen to be the one who's out.
I am in love with the creator of heaven and earth. I see the morning sun and thank the Lord for everything that he has blessed me with. That is a perfect start to every morning.
When we get to the point where a gay pro athlete is no longer forced to live in fear that he’ll be shunned by teammates or outed by tabloids, when we get to the point where he plays while his significant other waits in the family room, when we get to the point where he’s not compelled to hide his true self and is able to live an authentic life, then coming out won’t be such a big deal. But we’re not there yet,
Now I'm a free agent, literally and figuratively. 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.
I'm a 34-year-old NBA center. I'm black. And I'm gay,
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,
We're playing good defense against him. It's obviously bothering him for him to say something like that.