NBA's Jason Collins - First "major sport" pro athlete to come out

[corporatejay]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/mag...ay-nba-player/

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.

Read More: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/mag...#ixzz2RrqxObnB

About time this happened.....hopefully this encourages others. Good on him for having the courage.

[Cheerio]

Wow good for him. Hopefully nothing changes for him in terms of media or anything but we all know it will

[flames_fan_down_under]

That's incredibly courageous of him.

[Ozy_Flame]

This is awesome news. Not easy to come out like that.

The ironic thing is he can probably still get more #!$%! than most straight men because he's a pro athlete!

[SportsJunky]

I don't know this guy but he has my full respect for what he's done here. It must have been incredibly tough to go public. Good for him.

[troutman]

First NBA uniforms to come out

[Alberta_Beef]

Good for Collins. His statement was great as well.

I do question the timing though. His season is done and he is a free agent, he should have waited until he signed a new contract because unfortunately this could hurt the chances of him being signed.

[OILFAN #81]

Kudos to him. Everyone should be happy to live the life they choice free of criticism and prejudice from others. Hopefully more people can come out from this and not feel awkward in doing so.

[Blaster86]

I disagree with the timing, if only because it is the play-offs. I know it seems tacky, but I am in the boat for an announcement of such shockwave making proportions being saved as to not overshadow the championship in the sport you play.

That being said I am very glad that there has been very little negativity from other players or professionals associated with the NBA. One ESPN writer who will likely lose his job for his comments.