Coming Out Stories: Jason Collins

Jason Collins reflects on coming out and making history with the Nets

“I want to do the right thing and not hide anymore.” Jason Collins is a retired professional American basketball player who played for 13 seasons with the NBA. During the 2012-13 season, Collins came out in Sports Illustrated before signing with the New Jersey Nets, making him the first openly gay athlete to play on any professional sports team in North America. “If I had my way, someone else would have already done this,” he said when he came out. “Nobody has, which is why I’m raising my hand.”