Jason Collins, a veteran center in the
National Basketball Association (NBA), announced on Monday that he was gay,
becoming the first active player from any US professional sports league to
publicly reveal his homosexuality.
Collins,
a free agent who played with the Washington Wizards and Boston Celtics during
the NBA's 2012-13 regular season, made the announcement in an interview with
Sports Illustrated that was published on Monday.
"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," he said.
"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."
In
the ultra-scrutinised world of US professional sports, there had never been an
openly gay player in any of America's major professional sports leagues,
although some had revealed their sexual orientation after retiring.
In a
country with openly gay politicians, entertainers and even soldiers,
professional sports had become a final frontier and questions were being asked
why sports, which helped play a key role in changing public opinion on racial
discrimination, was out of step with the rest of American society.
"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."
NBA
Commissioner David Stern also praised Collins for breaking the barrier.
"Jason has been a widely respected player and team-mate throughout his
career and we are proud he has assumed the leadership mantle on this very
important issue," Stern said in a statement.
Collins,
34, has played for six NBA teams since entering the league in 2001 and twice
appeared in the play-offs. He said he wants to continue playing and hopes to
find a new team.
Daaamn, that deep. Didn't see that coming
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