Jason Collins
I'm an NBA player.
The N.B.A. is for the best players, not for the most affordable players.
There isn't a professional athlete that doesn't want to play 12, 13 years.
What I did when I was younger was look up to the guys like Dikembe Mutombo and Alonzo Mourning who played over a decade. What did they do to last that long? A lot of it is keeping your body in shape, keeping your mind sharp, staying hungry. You should always want guys around like that to set that example, in my mind.
As a professional athlete, I've been booed by 18,000 people.
There's nothing more beautiful than just allowing yourself to really be happy and be comfortable in your own skin.
I think the country is ready for supporting an openly gay basketball player.
A team is like a family.
The NBA is like a brotherhood.
Openness may not completely disarm prejudice, but it's a good place to start.Collection: Gay
When I was younger I dated women. 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.Collection: Kids
I knew that I was choosing the road less traveled but I'm not walking it alone.Collection: Road Less Traveled
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.Collection: Sports
The most you can do is stand up for what you believe in. I'm much happier since coming out to my friends and family. Being genuine and honest makes me happy.Collection: Believe
When we get to the point where a gay pro athlete is no longer forced to live in fear that he'll be shunned by teammates or outed by tabloids, when we get to the point where he plays while his significant other waits in the family room, when we get to the point where he's not compelled to hide his true self and is able to live an authentic life, then coming out won't be such a big deal. But we're not there yet.Collection: Athlete
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.Collection: Sports
I'm a veteran, and I've earned the right to be heard. I'll lead by example and show that gay players are no different from straight ones. I'm not the loudest person in the room, but I'll speak up when something isn't right. And try to make everyone laugh.Collection: Gay
I am in love with the creator of heaven and earth. I see the morning sun and thank the Lord for everything that he has blessed me with. That is a perfect start to every morning.Collection: Love
Now I'm a free agent, literally and figuratively. I've reached that enviable state in life in which I can do pretty much what I want. And what I want is to continue to play basketball. I still love the game, and I still have something to offer. My coaches and teammates recognize that. At the same time, I want to be genuine and authentic and truthful.Collection: Basketball
I'm a 34-year-old NBA center. I'm black. And I'm gay.Collection: Gay
Some people insist they've never met a gay person. But Three Degrees of Jason Collins dictates that no NBA player can claim that anymore. Pro basketball is a family. And pretty much every family I know has a brother, sister or cousin who's gay. In the brotherhood of the NBA, I just happen to be the one who's out.Collection: Basketball