People in the News

April 29, 2013

NBA’s Jason Collins is first openly gay member of a major professional sports league

By Ruth Ferguson, NDG Editor

The NBA’s Jason Collins announcement he is gay makes him the first openly gay man in any American major professional sports league. In a month where the legacy of Jackie Robinson is honored with the film 42, a new trailblazer has stepped forward.

No matter how anyone may feel about his lifestyle, the article he wrote for Sports Illustrated is eloquent and thoughtful, discussing his perspective from all angles: family, fellow players, faith and fan reaction. It starts:

“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. 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.”

You can read the full article online or the May 6, 2013 print edition.

Do you believe other current or former players will come out soon?

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