It's been anticipated for a while; today it happened. I've never heard of Jason Collins. Which is not surprising, since I don't follow major league sports. But I do follow history. And Jason Collins, currently a free agent, has just revealed he is gay, the first sports figure in the US to do so in one of the "major" male sports: baseball, football, basketball and hockey.
His article appears in the May 6th issue of Sports Illustrated. Read the whole story.
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.
What will the fans do?
As far as the reaction of fans, I don't mind if they heckle me. I've been booed before. There have been times when I've wanted to boo myself. But a lot of ill feelings can be cured by winning.
My guess is they are going to give him a standing ovation.
Check out another diary on this published seconds earlier by Spud1
Update Note:
So far I've seen very few references to Jackie Robinson. Which is interesting.
Update. One more quote from Jason Collins from the SI article:
I'm impressed with the straight pro athletes who have spoken up so far -- Chris Kluwe, Brendon Ayanbadejo. The more people who speak out, the better, gay or straight. It starts with President Obama's mentioning the 1969 Stonewall riots, which launched the gay rights movement, during his second inaugural address. And it extends to the grade-school teacher who encourages her students to accept the things that make us different.
8:32 AM PT: The tweets are beginning.
Sam Stein @samsteinhp 17m
Collins writes that he chose the jersey #98 in solidarity with Matthew Shepard, who was beaten to death in '98
Glenn Greenwald @ggreenwald 17m
Do yourself a favor and read the incredibly thoughtful and moving essay by Jason Collins on why he is coming out
8:34 AM PT: Yglesias doubles down on stupid.
Matt Yglesias @mattyglesias 2m
Jason Collins has a remarkably bad field goal percentage for a seven footer.
8:40 AM PT: One Kossack's tweet:
David Mixner @DavidMixner 4m
So excited about history being made with Basketball's Jason Collins...profile in courage and that wall with MAL sports has been taken down!
And a self-referential (sort of) one!
Chris Bowers @ThisBowers 4m
History is Made. First Major League Basketball Player in US Comes Out. http://www.dailykos.com/... … via @dailykos
8:43 AM PT: CBS Sports now has the story up.
And with that, the first active NBA player to come out has revealed his sexuality in an interview with Sports Illustrated. In 2007, retired journeyman John Amaechi revealed he was gay and has since become an advocate for sexual equality in sports.
8:53 AM PT: Via David Mixner:
8:55 AM PT:
Athlete Ally @AthleteAlly 5m
RT @brianellner: Such an amazing moment in sports history @jasoncollins34.
9:04 AM PT:
David Harris-Gershon @David_EHG 6m
To those ripping Jason Collins (NBA) for coming out, I have one response: He was BORN gay. You LEARNED the religion that teaches u to hate.
9:17 AM PT: Another Kossack tweet:
CLP @cooper888 4m
.@jasoncollins34 Thank you for your courage. Mad respect...
And some dude:
Bill Clinton @billclinton 7m
I'm proud to call Jason Collins a friend. http://wjcf.co/...
9:22 AM PT:
Occupy Wall Street @OccupyWallStNYC 4m
Congratulations and thank you to @jasoncollins34. Much love.