Jason Collins as a member of the Washington Wizards in March. (Photo: Mark J. Rebilas, USA TODAY Sports) Jason Collins, a 12-year NBA veteran, is the first male athlete in a major American team sport to come out as a gay . Collins made the announcement in a first-person essay for Sports Illustrated that appeared online Monday. "I'm a 34-year-old NBA center. I'm black. And I'm gay," Collins wrote in the first paragraph of the story that will run in the May 6 issue. It is co-written with Franz Lidz. "I wish I wasn't the kid in the classroom raising his hand and saying, 'I'm different,' " Collins wrote. "If I had my way, someone else would have already done this. Nobody has, which is why I'm raising my hand." Collins is a free agent who finished this past season with the Washington Wizards. He wants to continue his career. "When I was younger I dated women," Collins wrote. "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." PROS COMING OUT: Major sports leagues prepare for first openly gay athletes NBA 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." Wizards president Ernie Grunfeld also issued a statement, saying: "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." Kobe Bryant tweeted: "Proud of @jasoncollins34. Don't suffocate who u r because of the ignorance of others #courage #support #mambaarmystandup #BYOU" Bryant's Laker teammate Steve Nash also offered his support tweeting: The time has come. Maximum respect. Story Highlights
Source : http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2013/04/29/jason-collins-gay-athlete/2121127/
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