In the May 6 2013 issue if Sports Illustrated NBA player Jason Collins announced that he was a homosexual.
"I'm a 34-year old NBA center. I'm Black. And I'm gay".
These words would spark much debate on whether American professional sports were ready for an openly gay player; up until now the talks were just that talks. Recently NFL prospect Michael Sam announced he was gay and would become the first openly gay man in the four (Basketball, Football, Hockey, Baseball) major US sport leagues. That was until the Nets signed Jason Collins to a 10-day contract.
Collins has now become the first openly gay athlete in the four major sports, taking some of the line light off of younger athlete Michael Sam. After Collins announcement he spent months training at home waiting for a team to call and just take a chance, he is a 10+ year veteran but until the Brooklyn Nets called he received no interest.
Collins signing represents a significant step toward transforming professional sports in the US into a more welcoming environment for gay athletes.
The Nets can sign Collins to a second 10-day contract when the first expires but most either let him go or sign him for the rest of the season when the second contract ends.
"I'm a 34-year old NBA center. I'm Black. And I'm gay".
These words would spark much debate on whether American professional sports were ready for an openly gay player; up until now the talks were just that talks. Recently NFL prospect Michael Sam announced he was gay and would become the first openly gay man in the four (Basketball, Football, Hockey, Baseball) major US sport leagues. That was until the Nets signed Jason Collins to a 10-day contract.
Collins has now become the first openly gay athlete in the four major sports, taking some of the line light off of younger athlete Michael Sam. After Collins announcement he spent months training at home waiting for a team to call and just take a chance, he is a 10+ year veteran but until the Brooklyn Nets called he received no interest.
Collins signing represents a significant step toward transforming professional sports in the US into a more welcoming environment for gay athletes.
The Nets can sign Collins to a second 10-day contract when the first expires but most either let him go or sign him for the rest of the season when the second contract ends.