TL;DR
- Jason Collins, first openly gay NBA player, dies at 47.
- He battled Stage 4 glioblastoma cancer.
- Collins was a trailblazer for LGBTQ+ visibility in sports.
- He received support from Oprah and Obama after coming out.
- His legacy will inspire future generations.
The LGBTQ+ community is in mourning as we say goodbye to Jason Collins, the groundbreaking athlete who made history as the first openly gay active player in the National Basketball Association. Collins passed away on Tuesday at the age of 47, following a courageous battle with Stage 4 glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. He died peacefully at home, surrounded by his loving family.
Collins changed the landscape of professional sports back in 2013 when he came out publicly in a historic Sports Illustrated cover story. At that time, no active player in the NBA, NFL, MLB, or NHL had ever come out while still competing. His bold announcement marked a watershed moment for LGBTQ+ visibility not just in sports, but in society at large. “I’m a 34-year-old NBA center. I’m black. And I’m gay,” he wrote. “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.”
During his impressive 13-year career, Collins played for several teams, including the New Jersey Nets, Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves, Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Washington Wizards, and the Brooklyn Nets. He announced his retirement in 2014 but continued to make waves off the court.
His impact transcended basketball. After coming out, Collins received calls from notable figures like Oprah Winfrey and former President Barack Obama, both of whom expressed that his visibility would positively affect countless individuals he might never meet. Over the past decade, he became a powerful advocate for LGBTQ+ inclusion, serving as a global ambassador for the NBA and speaking openly about representation, acceptance, and the creation of safer spaces for queer athletes.
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In a heartfelt statement, his family shared, “We are heartbroken to share that Jason Collins, our beloved husband, son, brother, and uncle, has died after a valiant fight with glioblastoma. Jason changed lives in unexpected ways and was an inspiration to all who knew him and to those who admired him from afar.” The National Basketball Players Association also honored Collins, calling him “a global beacon of hope for the LGBTQ+ community” whose courage shattered barriers.
While Collins spent 13 years in the NBA, his legacy ultimately became much bigger than basketball. For countless queer fans, athletes, and young people searching for someone who looked like them, Collins represented visibility at a time when it barely existed in professional sports. He is survived by his husband, Brunson Green, his parents, and his twin brother, Jarron Collins. Rest in peace, Jason Collins. Your legacy will inspire generations to come.