JASON COLLINS TOOK another trailblazing step as the first openly gay man in a major US pro sports league when he took the court for the NBA’s Brooklyn Nets last night.
Hours after the Nets inked Collins to a 10-day contract, he came in as a substitute in the second quarter of the Nets’ game against the Los Angeles Lakers.
It was the 13-year NBA veteran’s first appearance in the league since he went public in April about his homosexuality, a revelation that came after his contract with the Washington Wizards expired.
Facing a bevy of media at the Staples Center before the game, Collins said his biggest immediate concern was proving he still belonged in the league.
“Right now, I’m focused on trying to learn the plays, trying to learn the coverages, the game plan, my assignment,” he said. “I don’t have time to really think about history right now.”
Nets general manager Billy King said the move to sign Collins was a “basketball decision.”
“We needed to increase our depth inside, and with his experience and size, we felt he was the right choice for a 10-day contract,” King said.
The Nets, in need of a big man after trading Reggie Evans to Sacramento last week, apparently plumped for Collins after learning that Glen Davis, lately of Orlando, planned to sign with the Los Angeles Clippers upon becoming a free agent this weekend.
Even though King said the Nets had no intention of making a social statement, NBA commissioner Adam Silver commented on the deal.
“Jason told us that his goal was to earn another contract with an NBA team,” Silver said.
“Today, I want to commend him on achieving his goal. I know everyone in the NBA family is excited for him and proud that our league fosters an inclusive and respectful environment.”
As part of a sports world still perceived as hostile to homosexuality, Collins drew praise for his courage in coming out as gay by US President Barack Obama, former president Bill Clinton and many players in the NBA.
Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder Robbie Rogers became the first openly gay male athlete to play in a US pro league when he took the field for a Major League Soccer match in May, three months after revealing he was gay.
But Collins will be the first in any of the four leagues that dominate the US sports landscape — Major League Baseball, the National Football League, the National Basketball Association and the National Hockey League.
University of Missouri defensive end Michael Sam, a US college star in American football who announced this month he is gay, is likely to be selected in the NFL Draft later this year.
