NBA basketball player Jason Collins has announced via a story in Sports Illustrated that he's gay, making him the first active player in a major American team sport to do this.
In the story, Collins wrote the following:
"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."
To this point, the response has been overwhelmingly positive.
NBA commissioner David Stern made the following comments in response to the news:
"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. 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."
Kobe Bryant, who had come under scrutiny due to an occasion where he uttered a homophobic remark a year or two ago, issued a sincere apology and has stood up for gay rights ever since that point. He did so again after hearing about Collins' announcement, tweeting, "Proud of @jasoncollins34. Don't suffocate who u r because of the ignorance of others #courage #support #mambaarmystandup #BYOU."
Former President Bill Clinton had this to say:
"Jason's announcement today is an important moment for professional sports and in the history of the LGBT community. It is also the straightforward statement of a good man who wants no more than what so many of us seek: to be able to be who we are; to do our work; to build families and to contribute to our communities.
For so many members of the LGBT community, these simple goals remain elusive. I hope that everyone, particularly Jason's colleagues in the NBA, the media and his many fans extend to him their support and the respect he has earned."
Ernie Grunfeld, owner of the most recent team of which Collins has been a part - the Washington Wizards, made the following remarks:
"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."
Collins, who has an endorsement deal with Nike, received the following encouraging words from the company:
"Jason is a Nike athlete. We are a company committed to diversity and inclusion."
Hopefully the support continues for Collins and others like him whom decide it's time to finally come out to the public. It took a great deal of courage for Collins to come out as the first gay American athlete of a major team sport, and for this, the guy should be commended. I wish him the best of luck in all his future endeavors, whether that be in basketball or elsewhere.
http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/9223657/jason-collins-first-openly-gay-active-player
In the story, Collins wrote the following:
"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."
To this point, the response has been overwhelmingly positive.
NBA commissioner David Stern made the following comments in response to the news:
"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. 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."
Kobe Bryant, who had come under scrutiny due to an occasion where he uttered a homophobic remark a year or two ago, issued a sincere apology and has stood up for gay rights ever since that point. He did so again after hearing about Collins' announcement, tweeting, "Proud of @jasoncollins34. Don't suffocate who u r because of the ignorance of others #courage #support #mambaarmystandup #BYOU."
Former President Bill Clinton had this to say:
"Jason's announcement today is an important moment for professional sports and in the history of the LGBT community. It is also the straightforward statement of a good man who wants no more than what so many of us seek: to be able to be who we are; to do our work; to build families and to contribute to our communities.
For so many members of the LGBT community, these simple goals remain elusive. I hope that everyone, particularly Jason's colleagues in the NBA, the media and his many fans extend to him their support and the respect he has earned."
Ernie Grunfeld, owner of the most recent team of which Collins has been a part - the Washington Wizards, made the following remarks:
"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."
Collins, who has an endorsement deal with Nike, received the following encouraging words from the company:
"Jason is a Nike athlete. We are a company committed to diversity and inclusion."
Hopefully the support continues for Collins and others like him whom decide it's time to finally come out to the public. It took a great deal of courage for Collins to come out as the first gay American athlete of a major team sport, and for this, the guy should be commended. I wish him the best of luck in all his future endeavors, whether that be in basketball or elsewhere.
http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/9223657/jason-collins-first-openly-gay-active-player
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