Jason Collins, a former NBA player who made history by becoming the first openly gay athlete in one of the four major men’s professional sports leagues while still active, has been widely recognized for his trailblazing role. Collins entered the NBA in 2001 and played across six teams during a 13-season career, but his most significant impact came in 2013 when he publicly announced his sexual orientation in a Sports Illustrated cover story that he authored.

In the article, Collins expressed surprise that no other player had come forward before him, stating, “If I had my way, someone else would have already done this... Nobody has, which is why I’m raising my hand.” His announcement was seen as a pivotal moment not only for sports but also for broader cultural conversations about inclusion and acceptance. The revelation brought new attention to a subtle but meaningful tribute Collins had made for years—wearing the jersey number 98 in honor of Matthew Shepard, a gay college student murdered in a 1998 hate crime in Wyoming.

The response to Collins’ disclosure was largely positive. He received supportive messages from a range of public figures, including Oprah Winfrey and then-President Barack Obama. NBA commissioner David Stern praised Collins for his leadership, underscoring the significance of his decision. Although Collins was a free agent at the time and some speculated that coming out might jeopardize his professional career, he later secured a midseason contract with the Brooklyn Nets, the team where his NBA journey began.

After retiring in 2014, Collins shifted his focus to public speaking and activism. He has been involved in political campaigns, notably supporting Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential election, and serves as an ambassador for the NBA Cares program, engaging each year with incoming players. Last December, Collins revealed he had been diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. Despite this challenge, he reflected positively on his life since coming out, saying, “I got to tell my own story. And now I can honestly say, the past 12 years since have been the best of my life.”