History was made Sunday night, Feb. 23, when Jason Collins—a 7-foot, 35-year-old NBA veteran—strutted onto the court at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. He sported Brooklyn Nets uniform No. 46, played about 11 minutes in what was his 714th career regular-season NBA game.
It was his first, though, as an openly gay NBA player—and Collins is now the first active gay athlete in one of the big four male team sports in North America.
Jackie Robinson broke baseball's color barrier on April 15, 1947, sporting jersey No. 42 for the Brooklyn Dodgers. Collins broke the gay barrier when he signed a 10-day contract with the Nets on Feb. 23.
Collins grabbed two rebounds, had one steal, five personal fouls and did not score—at least in the box score—in Brooklyn's 108-102 win over the host Lakers.
"For the past 13 years, I have been saying that the first time an athlete is courageous enough to compete as an openly gay man, that I would find a way to be at that game, cheering him on as his #1 fan. Today, my dream has come true," Billy Bean, a gay former major league baseball player who came out after retiring, wrote on Facebook. And yes, Bean was cheering for Collins and the Nets at the Staples Center.
"For the first time in my life, I will NOT be rooting for the Los Angeles Lakers. Tonight, I am a Brooklyn Nets fan, and my favorite player is my good friend, and hero to so many young athletes around the world, JASON COLLINS.
"It's a great day for all athletes and every sports fan.
"For every one of us who played in silence, afraid, hating on ourselves … you are shining a light on a dark times, unfinished business, and bad memories. Healing. I am so proud to know you!!"
Collins, a Stanford University graduate, made his debut in the NBA in 2001 after being that year's 18th overall pick in the annual NBA Draft. He played his first seven seasons for the New Jersey Nets, then spent time playing for the Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves, Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics and Washington Wizards.
Collins' career spanned 713 regular-season NBA games before joining Brooklyn, and he averaged 3.6 points per game. Collins also has played in 95 playoff games, most recently in 2012 with Atlanta.
Collins revealed he is gay last April and was the cover story of the May 6, 2013, issue of Sports Illustrated. Collins was among the first class of inductees last August into the Chicago-based National Gay and Lesbian Sports Hall of Fame.
"It's great to see a team turn to talent when they needed help. Jason Collins never wasn't good enough to play in the NBA, and this opportunity brings that home," said transgender sportswriter Christina Kahrl of Chicago.
Brian Kupersmit, president of the predominantly gay Chicago Metropolitan Sports Association (CMSA), said he was "very excited" to heard the news of Collins' signing with the Nets. "This is Jason's moment and the entire country, gay and straight, will be watching. Some doubted this day would ever come, but Jason's hard work and determination finally paid off. I am looking forward to seeing him play not just for the length of this contract, but for years to come."
"I love that basketball gets to be the first of the big four [male team sports] to have an openly gay player," said Anthony Nicodemo, a gay high school basketball coach in New York who confirmed he has courtside seats for the Nets next home game: March 3 against the Chicago Bulls. "Jason has proven to be an awesome role-model and no one deserves this opportunity more than him.
"I've attended a ton of big time hoops game, but to be at Jason's first [home] game as a Net will be awesome. Much more personal than a normal game."
Wade Davis, the executive director of the You Can Play Project and himself a former professional football player, said Collins' signing is "historic in the world of sports and for our country."
"Jason will continue to inspire all people, not just the LGBT community," Davis said. "And it's fitting that Brooklyn, a city famous for its diversity and transformative sports figures would be the place where another barrier is shattered."
Brooklyn general manager Billy King said in a statement that, "The decision to sign Jason was a basketball decision. We needed to increase our depth inside, and with his experience and size, we felt he was the right choice for a 10-day contract."
Fallon Fox, the first openly transgender mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter, and a Chicago area resident, said Collins' signing is "comforting to me; however, it is not surprising."
"Who wouldn't want that guy on the court? Oh, that's right, I almost forgot. There are a handful of haters out there who don't really matter in the grand scheme of things when it comes to the public's perception of gay male professional athletes," Fox said. "I'm calling it right now. It looks like both Jason Collins and Michael Sam of the NFL will likely get the chance to have their cake and eat it too. They will be the first of their kind. Openly gay, openly accepted, and openly awesome in their positions within our nation's most viewed sports. It makes me happy and proud to be alive and LGBT at this moment, knowing that some of our heroes will reach this status."
Collins' twin brother, Jarron, a former NBA player, took to Twitter on Feb. 23, and wrote: "Hope everyone is enjoying their Sunday. Today should be a pretty cool day!"
The Nets posted a photo on their Twitter account of head coach Jason Kidd watching Collins sign his contract.
Collins is tied for third in Nets history with 510 games played, and also ranks in the team's top 10 in minutes played, offensive rebounds, and total rebounds.
"I think it is fantastic news. I applaud the Brooklyn Nets for their courage and judging Jason Collins on his ability to help them over the next 10 days and possibly beyond, [not on] whom he chooses to spend his life with and love," said openly gay Nevada State Senator Kelvin Atkinson. "Today is a great day for American sports and I hope this is not the last and I wish him much success."
NBA commissioner Adam Silver, in a statement, said: "Jason told us that his goal was to earn another contract with an NBA team. Today, I want to commend him on achieving his goal. I know everyone in the NBA family is excited for him and proud that our league fosters an inclusive and respectful environment."
Michael Sam, the gay football player who likely will be drafted into the NFL this spring and then make a mark on Sundays in the fall Tweeted after Collins' signing: "Congratulations to my friend @jasoncollins34 - excited to see you do work out there #courage #groundbreaking."
Robbie Rogers, the gay professional soccer player, tweeted: "Very excited to watch @jasoncollins34 tonight more importantly I am proud to call him my friend."
K.C. Johnson, the NBA writer for the Chicago Tribune, Tweeted: "Good for Jason Collins. Good for Nets. Good for NBA. Good for society."
