Jason Colls, first openly gay NBA player, reflects on legacy, life after basketball | PBS NewsHour

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• JASON {LOR:#595959;FONT-FAY:GILROY,HELVETI,ARIAL,SANS-SERIF;FONT-WEIGHT:600;MARG-BOTTOM:0.625REM;}@MEDIA(MAX-WIDTH: 48REM){{FONT-SIZE:0.875REM;LE-HEIGHT:1.2;}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 48REM){{FONT-SIZE:1.25REM;LE-HEIGHT:1.2;}} A{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN-THICKNS:0.0625REM;TEXT-RATN-LOR:HER;TEXT-UNRLE-OFFSET:0.25REM;LOR:HER;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.3S EASE--OUT;TRANSN:ALL 0.3S EASE--OUT;} A:HOVER{LOR:#A00000;TEXT-RATN-LOR:BORR-LK-BODY-HOVER;}AMERIN PROFSNAL BASKETBALL PLAYER JASON COLLS BEME THE FIRST ACTIVE OPENLY GAY MALE ATHLETE THE FOUR MAJOR NORTH AMERIN PROFSNAL {MARG-BOTTOM:0.625REM;PADDG-RIGHT:0.3125REM;LOR:#323232;FONT-FAY:GILROY,HELVETI,ARIAL,SANS-SERIF;FONT-SIZE:0.75REM;LE-HEIGHT:1;FONT-WEIGHT:800;} SPAN{LE-HEIGHT:1.6;FONT-FAY:GILROY,HELVETI,ARIAL,SANS-SERIF;}{FONT-STYLE:NORMAL;PADDG-RIGHT:0.3125REM;FONT-FAY:RALAS,GEIA,TIM,SERIF;LOR:#323232;FONT-SIZE:0.75REM;LE-HEIGHT:1.3;FONT-WEIGHT:BOLD;TEXT-TRANSFORM:PALIZE;}{PADDG-RIGHT:0.3125REM;FONT-FAY:RALAS,GEIA,TIM,SERIF;LOR:#323232;FONT-SIZE:0.75REM;LE-HEIGHT:1.3;FONT-WEIGHT:BOLD;TEXT-TRANSFORM:PALIZE;}BY {DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;MARG-LEFT:0.625REM;FONT-FAY:GILROY,HELVETI,ARIAL,SANS-SERIF;FONT-SIZE:0.75REM;LE-HEIGHT:1;FONT-WEIGHT:800;}UPDATED: NOV 2, {DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;}{MARG-BOTTOM:0.9375REM;POSN:RELATIVE;}@MEDIA(MAX-WIDTH: 64REM){{MAX-WIDTH:LC(100VW - (1REM * 2));MARG-LEFT:1REM;MARG-RIGHT:1REM;} .E152U5OS0{WIDTH:100VW;MARG-LEFT:LC(-1 * 1REM);}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 48REM) AND (MAX-WIDTH: 61.25REM){{MARG-LEFT:TO;MARG-RIGHT:TO;} .E152U5OS0{WIDTH:100VW;MARG-LEFT:LC((100VW - (LC(20.625REM * 2 - 1REM) - 2 * 1REM)) / -2);}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 61.25REM) AND (MAX-WIDTH: 90REM){{MAX-WIDTH:LC(20.625REM * 2 - 1REM);MARG-LEFT:LC((100VW - LC(20.625REM * 2 - 1REM) - 1REM - 20.625REM) / 2);PADDG-LEFT:1REM;PADDG-RIGHT:1REM;} .E152U5OS0{WIDTH:100VW;MARG-LEFT:LC(LC((100VW - LC(20.625REM * 2 - 1REM) - 1REM - 20.625REM) / -2) - 1REM);}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 90REM){{MARG-LEFT:LC((100VW - LC(20.625REM * 2 - 1REM)) / 2);MAX-WIDTH:LC(20.625REM * 2 - 1REM);PADDG-LEFT:1REM;PADDG-RIGHT:1REM;} .E152U5OS0{WIDTH:100VW;MARG-LEFT:LC(LC((100VW - LC(20.625REM * 2 + 1REM)) / -2) - LC(2 * 1REM));}[DATA-HAS-SPONSOR] {MARG-LEFT:LC((100VW - LC(20.625REM * 2 - 1REM)) / 4);MARG-RIGHT:LC((100VW - LC(20.625REM * 2 - 1REM)) / 4);}}{JTIFY-SELF:CENTER;POSN:RELATIVE;}@MEDIA(MAX-WIDTH: 48REM){{MARG-LEFT:-50VW;MARG-RIGHT:-50VW;WIDTH:100VW;LEFT:50%;RIGHT:50%;}}{HEIGHT:TO;}@MEDIA(MAX-WIDTH: 48REM){{MARG:TO LC(50% - 50VW);}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 48REM){{MARG:TO;}}{POSN:RELATIVE;HEIGHT:TO;}{POSN:RELATIVE;--POSN:ABSOLUTE;HEIGHT:TO;} IMG{MAX-WIDTH:100%;HEIGHT:TO;} A{POSN:ABSOLUTE;}{POSN:RELATIVE;WIDTH:100%;HEIGHT:100%;OBJECT-F:VER;VERTIL-ALIGN:TOP;}{BACKGROUND:#C92228;BOTTOM:0;PADDG:.5REM;RIGHT:0;}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 64REM){{PADDG:0.39REM;}}{DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:1REM;WIDTH:1REM;}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 64REM){{WIDTH:1.063REM;HEIGHT:1.063REM;}}{LE-HEIGHT:1;MARG-TOP:0.3125REM;}@MEDIA(MAX-WIDTH: 73.75REM){{PADDG-LEFT:0.9375REM;}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 64REM){{PADDG-LEFT:0;}}{PADDG-RIGHT:0.3125REM;LOR:#595959;FONT-FAY:GILROY,HELVETI,ARIAL,SANS-SERIF;FONT-SIZE:0.75REM;LE-HEIGHT:1;FONT-WEIGHT:800;}GETTY IMAG / NBA PHOTOS / {FONT-FAY:CHARTER,GEIA,TIM,SERIF;FONT-SIZE:1.1875REM;LE-HEIGHT:1.6;PADDG-LEFT:0REM;PADDG-RIGHT:0REM;POSN:RELATIVE;}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 48REM){{PADDG-LEFT:3.5REM;PADDG-RIGHT:3.5REM;}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 48REM) AND (MAX-WIDTH: 61.25REM){{MAX-WIDTH:45.25REM;MARG-LEFT:TO;MARG-RIGHT:TO;}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 61.25REM){{PADDG-LEFT:0REM;PADDG-RIGHT:0REM;}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 73.75REM) AND (MAX-WIDTH: 100REM){{PADDG-LEFT:0REM;PADDG-RIGHT:0REM;}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 90REM){{PADDG-LEFT:0REM;PADDG-RIGHT:0REM;}} EM{FONT-STYLE:ALIC;FONT-FAY:CHARTER,GEIA,TIM,SERIF;} STRONG{FONT-FAY:CHARTER,GEIA,TIM,SERIF;FONT-WEIGHT:BOLD;}{CLEAR:BOTH;NTENT:" ";DISPLAY:BLOCK;FONT-SIZE:0.7REM;LE-HEIGHT:1.5REM;HEIGHT:0REM;VISIBILY:HIDN;}{FONT-FAY:CHARTER,GEIA,TIM,SERIF;FONT-SIZE:1.1875REM;LE-HEIGHT:1.6;} STRONG{FONT-FAY:CHARTER,GEIA,TIM,SERIF;FONT-WEIGHT:BOLD;} EM{FONT-STYLE:ALIC;FONT-FAY:CHARTER,GEIA,TIM,SERIF;}(1978-){LOR:#323232;FONT-FAY:GILROY,HELVETI,ARIAL,SANS-SERIF;FONT-WEIGHT:800;LETTER-SPACG:0.02EM;MARG-BOTTOM:0.625REM;MARG-TOP:0.625REM;}@MEDIA(MAX-WIDTH: 48REM){{FONT-SIZE:1.875REM;LE-HEIGHT:1.1;}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 48REM){{FONT-SIZE:2REM;LE-HEIGHT:1.1;}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 64REM){{FONT-SIZE:2REM;LE-HEIGHT:1.1;}} B, STRONG{FONT-FAY:HER;FONT-WEIGHT:BOLD;} EM, I{FONT-FAY:HER;FONT-STYLE:ALIC;}WHO IS JASON COLLS? JASON PL COLLS WAS BORN NORTHRIDGE, CALIFORNIA ON DECEMBER 2, 1978. AFTER PLAYG BASKETBALL WH HIS TW BROTHER, JARRON, HIGH SCHOOL AND AT STANFORD UNIVERSY, COLLS VELOPED TO A PABLE NBA FENR FOR MULTIPLE TEAMS. ON APRIL 29, 2013, HE BEME THE FIRST ACTIVE MALE ATHLETE THE FOUR MAJOR NORTH AMERIN PROFSNAL SPORTS TO PROCLAIM HIS HOMOSEXUALY.EARLY YEARS AND EDUTNJASON AND JARRON PLAYED BASKETBALL FOR HARVARD-WTLAKE HIGH SCHOOL NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA, WHERE FUTURE TELEVISN AND MOVIE STAR JASON SEGEL SERVED AS THEIR BACKUP. THEY WON A PAIR OF CALIFORNIA STATE CHAMPNSHIPS TOGETHER. AS A SENR 1997, JASON WAS NAMED TO THE MCDONALD'S HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL ALL-AMERIN TEAM. THE TWS ENROLLED AT STANFORD UNIVERSY. LIMED TO EIGHT GAM OVER HIS FIRST TWO SEASONS BEE OF JURI, JASON AVERAGED 14.5 POTS AND 7.5 REBOUNDS PER GAME HIS SENR YEAR AND WAS AN HONORABLE MENTN ON THE ALL-AMERIN TEAM. HE GRADUATED WH A GREE MUNITNS AND WAS THE 18TH PICK THE 2001 NBA DRAFT WH THE NEW JERSEY NETS.NBA CAREERCOLLS NEVER BEME A STAR THE NBA, BUT AT A ROCK-SOLID 7'0" AND 255 POUNDS, HE FEND THE LEAGUE'S BT AND LARGT PLAYERS AND LOGGED REGULAR MUT FOR THE NETS TEAMS THAT REACHED THE NBA FALS 2002 AND '03. HE HAD HIS BT SEASON 2004-05 WHEN HE AVERAGED 6.4 POTS AND 6.1 REBOUNDS PER GAME, BUT HE ALSO HAD A LEAGUE-HIGH 322 PERSONAL FOULS.COLLS PLAYED WH THE MEMPHIS GRIZZLI EARLY 2008, THEN SPENT THE FOLLOWG SEASON WH THE MNOTA TIMBERWOLV. HE FOUND A HOME WH THE ATLANTA HAWKS FOR THE NEXT THREE SEASONS, PROVIDG HIS UAL TOUGH FENSE OFF THE BENCH TO HELP THEM REACH THE PLAYOFFS EACH TIME. HE PLAYED SPARGLY DURG THE 2012-13 SEASON FOR THE BOSTON CELTICS AND WASHGTON WIZARDS, AVERAGG JT 1.1 POTS AND 1.6 REBOUNDS PER GAME, BEFORE BEG A EE AGENT.IN 2014, COLLS SIGNED A 10-DAY NTRACT WH THE BROOKLYN NETS, OFFICIALLY MAKG HIM THE FIRST OPENLY GAY ATHLETE TO SIGN WH A U.S. PROFSNAL SPORTS TEAM. LATER THAT YEAR, COLLS AGA SIGNED A 10-DAY AL WH THE NETS THAT WAS EXTEND THROUGH THE RT OF THE SEASON. ON NOVEMBER 19, 2014, COLLS ANNOUNCED HIS RETIREMENT OM PROFSNAL BASKETBALL. HE PLAYED 13 SEASONS THE NBA.COMG OUT ON APRIL 29, 2013, THE TER L UP WH THE REVELATN THAT COLLS WAS GAY, MAKG HIM THE FIRST OPENLY GAY ACTIVE MALE ATHLETE THE FOUR MAJOR NORTH AMERIN SPORTS. IN AN ARTICLE RELEASED THE MAY 6 ISSUE OF SPORTS ILLTRATED, COLLS MA HIS OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT AND EXPLAED HIS REASONG FOR G OUT WHEN HE DID: HAVG GROWN TIRED OF GUARDG HIS SECRET FOR YEARS, HE WAS TRATED WHEN HE ULD NOT JO HIS FORMER ROOMMATE, MASSACHETTS CONGRSMAN JOSEPH KENNEDY III, AND PARTICIPATE BOSTON'S 2012 GAY PRI PARA. FURTHERMORE, HE SAID, THE RECENT BOMBGS AT THE BOSTON MARATHON MA HIM REALIZE THE IMPERMANENCE OF EVERYDAY LIFE AND THE IMPORTANCE OF LIVG TTHFULLY.IN THE WAKE OF THE ANNOUNCEMENT, NBA STARS SUCH AS {-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN-THICKNS:0.0625REM;TEXT-RATN-LOR:HER;TEXT-UNRLE-OFFSET:0.25REM;LOR:#A00000;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.3S EASE--OUT;TRANSN:ALL 0.3S EASE--OUT;}{LOR:#595959;TEXT-RATN-LOR:BORR-LK-BODY-HOVER;}KOBE BRYANT AND STEVE NASH TWEETED THEIR SUPPORT. WHE HOE SPOKMAN JAY CARNEY LD COLLS'S STATEMENT AS A URAGEO ACT, AND FORMER U.S. PRINT BILL CLTON, WHOSE DGHTER, CHELSEA, ATTEND STANFORD WH COLLS, WROTE THAT THE BASKETBALL STAR'S WORDS WERE "THE STRAIGHTFORWARD STATEMENT OF A GOOD MAN WHO WANTS NO MORE THAN WHAT SO MANY OF SEEK: TO BE ABLE TO BE WHO WE ARE; TO DO OUR WORK; TO BUILD FAI AND TO NTRIBUTE TO OUR MUNI."PERSONAL LIFE COLLS WAS ENGAGED TO HIS EX-GIRLIEND, FORMER WNBA PLAYER CAROLYN MOOS, BEFORE HE UNEXPECTEDLY LLED OFF THEIR WEDDG 2009. THE SAME DAY THE SPORTS ILLTRATED STORY RAN 2013, COLLS LLED MOOS TO TELL HER HE WAS GAY. IT WAS THE FIRST TIME THE TWO HAD DISCSED THE MATTER. COLLS HAS BEEN DATG OSR-NOMATED PRODUCER BNSON GREEN AS EARLY AS 2014. {BORR:0;BORR-BOTTOM:TH SOLID BLACK;MARG:1.875REM 0;CLEAR:BOTH;}QUICK {FONT-FAY:CHARTER,GEIA,TIM,SERIF;FONT-SIZE:1.1875REM;LE-HEIGHT:1.6;MARG:0.9375REM 0 0 0.625REM;PADDG:0 0 0 1.25REM;}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 48REM){{MARG:0.9375REM 0;}} B, STRONG{FONT-FAY:HER;FONT-WEIGHT:BOLD;} EM{FONT-STYLE:ALIC;FONT-FAY:CHARTER,GEIA,TIM,SERIF;} EM, I{FONT-FAY:HER;FONT-STYLE:ALIC;} LI{PADDG-BOTTOM:0.625REM;} STRONG{FONT-FAY:CHARTER,GEIA,TIM,SERIF;FONT-WEIGHT:BOLD;} LI::MARKER{LOR:#323232;}NAME: JASON COLLSBIRTH YEAR: 1978BIRTH DATE: DECEMBER 2, 1978BIRTH STATE: CALIFORNIABIRTH CY: NORTHRIDGEBIRTH COUNTRY: UNED STATGENR: MALEBT KNOWN FOR: AMERIN PROFSNAL BASKETBALL PLAYER JASON COLLS BEME THE FIRST ACTIVE OPENLY GAY MALE ATHLETE THE FOUR MAJOR NORTH AMERIN PROFSNAL SPORTS.INDTRISPORTSASTROLOGIL SIGN: SAGTARISCHOOLSSTANFORD UNIVERSYHARVARD-WTLAKE HIGH SCHOOLOCCUPATNSATHLETEFACT CHECK
• JASON COLLS ME OUT 10 YEARS AGO, HERG A PERD OF CREASG GAY VISIBILY MEN’S SPORTS
• HERE ARE THE 6 GAY MEN WHO HAVE BEEN OUT PUBLICLY WHILE PETG PRO BASKETBALL
• JASON COLLS, FIRST OPENLY GAY ATHLETE TO PLAY NBA, MAK U.S. SPORTS HISTORY
• JASON COLLS: 5 SURPRISG FACTS ABOUT THE FIRST OPENLY GAY NBA PLAYER
• NBA STAR JASON COLLS STARTED DATG HIS GAY PARTNER AFTER 8-YEAR-LONG ENGAGEMENT TO FAMO FIANCéE - MEET HIS BOYIEND
• JASON COLLS IS THE 1ST OPENLY GAY NBA PLAYER AND WAS ENGAGED TO A WOMAN — INSI HIS STORY
• JASON COLLS, FIRST OPENLY GAY NBA PLAYER, REFLECTS ON LEGACY, LIFE AFTER BASKETBALL

JASON {LOR:#595959;FONT-FAY:GILROY,HELVETI,ARIAL,SANS-SERIF;FONT-WEIGHT:600;MARG-BOTTOM:0.625REM;}@MEDIA(MAX-WIDTH: 48REM){{FONT-SIZE:0.875REM;LE-HEIGHT:1.2;}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 48REM){{FONT-SIZE:1.25REM;LE-HEIGHT:1.2;}} A{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN-THICKNS:0.0625REM;TEXT-RATN-LOR:HER;TEXT-UNRLE-OFFSET:0.25REM;LOR:HER;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.3S EASE--OUT;TRANSN:ALL 0.3S EASE--OUT;} A:HOVER{LOR:#A00000;TEXT-RATN-LOR:BORR-LK-BODY-HOVER;}AMERIN PROFSNAL BASKETBALL PLAYER JASON COLLS BEME THE FIRST ACTIVE OPENLY GAY MALE ATHLETE THE FOUR MAJOR NORTH AMERIN PROFSNAL {MARG-BOTTOM:0.625REM;PADDG-RIGHT:0.3125REM;LOR:#323232;FONT-FAY:GILROY,HELVETI,ARIAL,SANS-SERIF;FONT-SIZE:0.75REM;LE-HEIGHT:1;FONT-WEIGHT:800;} SPAN{LE-HEIGHT:1.6;FONT-FAY:GILROY,HELVETI,ARIAL,SANS-SERIF;}{FONT-STYLE:NORMAL;PADDG-RIGHT:0.3125REM;FONT-FAY:RALAS,GEIA,TIM,SERIF;LOR:#323232;FONT-SIZE:0.75REM;LE-HEIGHT:1.3;FONT-WEIGHT:BOLD;TEXT-TRANSFORM:PALIZE;}{PADDG-RIGHT:0.3125REM;FONT-FAY:RALAS,GEIA,TIM,SERIF;LOR:#323232;FONT-SIZE:0.75REM;LE-HEIGHT:1.3;FONT-WEIGHT:BOLD;TEXT-TRANSFORM:PALIZE;}BY {DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;MARG-LEFT:0.625REM;FONT-FAY:GILROY,HELVETI,ARIAL,SANS-SERIF;FONT-SIZE:0.75REM;LE-HEIGHT:1;FONT-WEIGHT:800;}UPDATED: NOV 2, {DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;}{MARG-BOTTOM:0.9375REM;POSN:RELATIVE;}@MEDIA(MAX-WIDTH: 64REM){{MAX-WIDTH:LC(100VW - (1REM * 2));MARG-LEFT:1REM;MARG-RIGHT:1REM;} .E152U5OS0{WIDTH:100VW;MARG-LEFT:LC(-1 * 1REM);}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 48REM) AND (MAX-WIDTH: 61.25REM){{MARG-LEFT:TO;MARG-RIGHT:TO;} .E152U5OS0{WIDTH:100VW;MARG-LEFT:LC((100VW - (LC(20.625REM * 2 - 1REM) - 2 * 1REM)) / -2);}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 61.25REM) AND (MAX-WIDTH: 90REM){{MAX-WIDTH:LC(20.625REM * 2 - 1REM);MARG-LEFT:LC((100VW - LC(20.625REM * 2 - 1REM) - 1REM - 20.625REM) / 2);PADDG-LEFT:1REM;PADDG-RIGHT:1REM;} .E152U5OS0{WIDTH:100VW;MARG-LEFT:LC(LC((100VW - LC(20.625REM * 2 - 1REM) - 1REM - 20.625REM) / -2) - 1REM);}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 90REM){{MARG-LEFT:LC((100VW - LC(20.625REM * 2 - 1REM)) / 2);MAX-WIDTH:LC(20.625REM * 2 - 1REM);PADDG-LEFT:1REM;PADDG-RIGHT:1REM;} .E152U5OS0{WIDTH:100VW;MARG-LEFT:LC(LC((100VW - LC(20.625REM * 2 + 1REM)) / -2) - LC(2 * 1REM));}[DATA-HAS-SPONSOR] {MARG-LEFT:LC((100VW - LC(20.625REM * 2 - 1REM)) / 4);MARG-RIGHT:LC((100VW - LC(20.625REM * 2 - 1REM)) / 4);}}{JTIFY-SELF:CENTER;POSN:RELATIVE;}@MEDIA(MAX-WIDTH: 48REM){{MARG-LEFT:-50VW;MARG-RIGHT:-50VW;WIDTH:100VW;LEFT:50%;RIGHT:50%;}}{HEIGHT:TO;}@MEDIA(MAX-WIDTH: 48REM){{MARG:TO LC(50% - 50VW);}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 48REM){{MARG:TO;}}{POSN:RELATIVE;HEIGHT:TO;}{POSN:RELATIVE;--POSN:ABSOLUTE;HEIGHT:TO;} IMG{MAX-WIDTH:100%;HEIGHT:TO;} A{POSN:ABSOLUTE;}{POSN:RELATIVE;WIDTH:100%;HEIGHT:100%;OBJECT-F:VER;VERTIL-ALIGN:TOP;}{BACKGROUND:#C92228;BOTTOM:0;PADDG:.5REM;RIGHT:0;}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 64REM){{PADDG:0.39REM;}}{DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:1REM;WIDTH:1REM;}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 64REM){{WIDTH:1.063REM;HEIGHT:1.063REM;}}{LE-HEIGHT:1;MARG-TOP:0.3125REM;}@MEDIA(MAX-WIDTH: 73.75REM){{PADDG-LEFT:0.9375REM;}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 64REM){{PADDG-LEFT:0;}}{PADDG-RIGHT:0.3125REM;LOR:#595959;FONT-FAY:GILROY,HELVETI,ARIAL,SANS-SERIF;FONT-SIZE:0.75REM;LE-HEIGHT:1;FONT-WEIGHT:800;}GETTY IMAG / NBA PHOTOS / {FONT-FAY:CHARTER,GEIA,TIM,SERIF;FONT-SIZE:1.1875REM;LE-HEIGHT:1.6;PADDG-LEFT:0REM;PADDG-RIGHT:0REM;POSN:RELATIVE;}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 48REM){{PADDG-LEFT:3.5REM;PADDG-RIGHT:3.5REM;}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 48REM) AND (MAX-WIDTH: 61.25REM){{MAX-WIDTH:45.25REM;MARG-LEFT:TO;MARG-RIGHT:TO;}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 61.25REM){{PADDG-LEFT:0REM;PADDG-RIGHT:0REM;}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 73.75REM) AND (MAX-WIDTH: 100REM){{PADDG-LEFT:0REM;PADDG-RIGHT:0REM;}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 90REM){{PADDG-LEFT:0REM;PADDG-RIGHT:0REM;}} EM{FONT-STYLE:ALIC;FONT-FAY:CHARTER,GEIA,TIM,SERIF;} STRONG{FONT-FAY:CHARTER,GEIA,TIM,SERIF;FONT-WEIGHT:BOLD;}{CLEAR:BOTH;NTENT:" ";DISPLAY:BLOCK;FONT-SIZE:0.7REM;LE-HEIGHT:1.5REM;HEIGHT:0REM;VISIBILY:HIDN;}{FONT-FAY:CHARTER,GEIA,TIM,SERIF;FONT-SIZE:1.1875REM;LE-HEIGHT:1.6;} STRONG{FONT-FAY:CHARTER,GEIA,TIM,SERIF;FONT-WEIGHT:BOLD;} EM{FONT-STYLE:ALIC;FONT-FAY:CHARTER,GEIA,TIM,SERIF;}(1978-){LOR:#323232;FONT-FAY:GILROY,HELVETI,ARIAL,SANS-SERIF;FONT-WEIGHT:800;LETTER-SPACG:0.02EM;MARG-BOTTOM:0.625REM;MARG-TOP:0.625REM;}@MEDIA(MAX-WIDTH: 48REM){{FONT-SIZE:1.875REM;LE-HEIGHT:1.1;}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 48REM){{FONT-SIZE:2REM;LE-HEIGHT:1.1;}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 64REM){{FONT-SIZE:2REM;LE-HEIGHT:1.1;}} B, STRONG{FONT-FAY:HER;FONT-WEIGHT:BOLD;} EM, I{FONT-FAY:HER;FONT-STYLE:ALIC;}WHO IS JASON COLLS? JASON PL COLLS WAS BORN NORTHRIDGE, CALIFORNIA ON DECEMBER 2, 1978. AFTER PLAYG BASKETBALL WH HIS TW BROTHER, JARRON, HIGH SCHOOL AND AT STANFORD UNIVERSY, COLLS VELOPED TO A PABLE NBA FENR FOR MULTIPLE TEAMS. ON APRIL 29, 2013, HE BEME THE FIRST ACTIVE MALE ATHLETE THE FOUR MAJOR NORTH AMERIN PROFSNAL SPORTS TO PROCLAIM HIS HOMOSEXUALY.EARLY YEARS AND EDUTNJASON AND JARRON PLAYED BASKETBALL FOR HARVARD-WTLAKE HIGH SCHOOL NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA, WHERE FUTURE TELEVISN AND MOVIE STAR JASON SEGEL SERVED AS THEIR BACKUP. THEY WON A PAIR OF CALIFORNIA STATE CHAMPNSHIPS TOGETHER. AS A SENR 1997, JASON WAS NAMED TO THE MCDONALD'S HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL ALL-AMERIN TEAM. THE TWS ENROLLED AT STANFORD UNIVERSY. LIMED TO EIGHT GAM OVER HIS FIRST TWO SEASONS BEE OF JURI, JASON AVERAGED 14.5 POTS AND 7.5 REBOUNDS PER GAME HIS SENR YEAR AND WAS AN HONORABLE MENTN ON THE ALL-AMERIN TEAM. HE GRADUATED WH A GREE MUNITNS AND WAS THE 18TH PICK THE 2001 NBA DRAFT WH THE NEW JERSEY NETS.NBA CAREERCOLLS NEVER BEME A STAR THE NBA, BUT AT A ROCK-SOLID 7'0" AND 255 POUNDS, HE FEND THE LEAGUE'S BT AND LARGT PLAYERS AND LOGGED REGULAR MUT FOR THE NETS TEAMS THAT REACHED THE NBA FALS 2002 AND '03. HE HAD HIS BT SEASON 2004-05 WHEN HE AVERAGED 6.4 POTS AND 6.1 REBOUNDS PER GAME, BUT HE ALSO HAD A LEAGUE-HIGH 322 PERSONAL FOULS.COLLS PLAYED WH THE MEMPHIS GRIZZLI EARLY 2008, THEN SPENT THE FOLLOWG SEASON WH THE MNOTA TIMBERWOLV. HE FOUND A HOME WH THE ATLANTA HAWKS FOR THE NEXT THREE SEASONS, PROVIDG HIS UAL TOUGH FENSE OFF THE BENCH TO HELP THEM REACH THE PLAYOFFS EACH TIME. HE PLAYED SPARGLY DURG THE 2012-13 SEASON FOR THE BOSTON CELTICS AND WASHGTON WIZARDS, AVERAGG JT 1.1 POTS AND 1.6 REBOUNDS PER GAME, BEFORE BEG A EE AGENT.IN 2014, COLLS SIGNED A 10-DAY NTRACT WH THE BROOKLYN NETS, OFFICIALLY MAKG HIM THE FIRST OPENLY GAY ATHLETE TO SIGN WH A U.S. PROFSNAL SPORTS TEAM. LATER THAT YEAR, COLLS AGA SIGNED A 10-DAY AL WH THE NETS THAT WAS EXTEND THROUGH THE RT OF THE SEASON. ON NOVEMBER 19, 2014, COLLS ANNOUNCED HIS RETIREMENT OM PROFSNAL BASKETBALL. HE PLAYED 13 SEASONS THE NBA.COMG OUT ON APRIL 29, 2013, THE TER L UP WH THE REVELATN THAT COLLS WAS GAY, MAKG HIM THE FIRST OPENLY GAY ACTIVE MALE ATHLETE THE FOUR MAJOR NORTH AMERIN SPORTS. IN AN ARTICLE RELEASED THE MAY 6 ISSUE OF SPORTS ILLTRATED, COLLS MA HIS OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT AND EXPLAED HIS REASONG FOR G OUT WHEN HE DID: HAVG GROWN TIRED OF GUARDG HIS SECRET FOR YEARS, HE WAS TRATED WHEN HE ULD NOT JO HIS FORMER ROOMMATE, MASSACHETTS CONGRSMAN JOSEPH KENNEDY III, AND PARTICIPATE BOSTON'S 2012 GAY PRI PARA. FURTHERMORE, HE SAID, THE RECENT BOMBGS AT THE BOSTON MARATHON MA HIM REALIZE THE IMPERMANENCE OF EVERYDAY LIFE AND THE IMPORTANCE OF LIVG TTHFULLY.IN THE WAKE OF THE ANNOUNCEMENT, NBA STARS SUCH AS {-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN-THICKNS:0.0625REM;TEXT-RATN-LOR:HER;TEXT-UNRLE-OFFSET:0.25REM;LOR:#A00000;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.3S EASE--OUT;TRANSN:ALL 0.3S EASE--OUT;}{LOR:#595959;TEXT-RATN-LOR:BORR-LK-BODY-HOVER;}KOBE BRYANT AND STEVE NASH TWEETED THEIR SUPPORT. WHE HOE SPOKMAN JAY CARNEY LD COLLS'S STATEMENT AS A URAGEO ACT, AND FORMER U.S. PRINT BILL CLTON, WHOSE DGHTER, CHELSEA, ATTEND STANFORD WH COLLS, WROTE THAT THE BASKETBALL STAR'S WORDS WERE "THE STRAIGHTFORWARD STATEMENT OF A GOOD MAN WHO WANTS NO MORE THAN WHAT SO MANY OF SEEK: TO BE ABLE TO BE WHO WE ARE; TO DO OUR WORK; TO BUILD FAI AND TO NTRIBUTE TO OUR MUNI."PERSONAL LIFE COLLS WAS ENGAGED TO HIS EX-GIRLIEND, FORMER WNBA PLAYER CAROLYN MOOS, BEFORE HE UNEXPECTEDLY LLED OFF THEIR WEDDG 2009. THE SAME DAY THE SPORTS ILLTRATED STORY RAN 2013, COLLS LLED MOOS TO TELL HER HE WAS GAY. IT WAS THE FIRST TIME THE TWO HAD DISCSED THE MATTER. COLLS HAS BEEN DATG OSR-NOMATED PRODUCER BNSON GREEN AS EARLY AS 2014. {BORR:0;BORR-BOTTOM:TH SOLID BLACK;MARG:1.875REM 0;CLEAR:BOTH;}QUICK {FONT-FAY:CHARTER,GEIA,TIM,SERIF;FONT-SIZE:1.1875REM;LE-HEIGHT:1.6;MARG:0.9375REM 0 0 0.625REM;PADDG:0 0 0 1.25REM;}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 48REM){{MARG:0.9375REM 0;}} B, STRONG{FONT-FAY:HER;FONT-WEIGHT:BOLD;} EM{FONT-STYLE:ALIC;FONT-FAY:CHARTER,GEIA,TIM,SERIF;} EM, I{FONT-FAY:HER;FONT-STYLE:ALIC;} LI{PADDG-BOTTOM:0.625REM;} STRONG{FONT-FAY:CHARTER,GEIA,TIM,SERIF;FONT-WEIGHT:BOLD;} LI::MARKER{LOR:#323232;}NAME: JASON COLLSBIRTH YEAR: 1978BIRTH DATE: DECEMBER 2, 1978BIRTH STATE: CALIFORNIABIRTH CY: NORTHRIDGEBIRTH COUNTRY: UNED STATGENR: MALEBT KNOWN FOR: AMERIN PROFSNAL BASKETBALL PLAYER JASON COLLS BEME THE FIRST ACTIVE OPENLY GAY MALE ATHLETE THE FOUR MAJOR NORTH AMERIN PROFSNAL SPORTS.INDTRISPORTSASTROLOGIL SIGN: SAGTARISCHOOLSSTANFORD UNIVERSYHARVARD-WTLAKE HIGH SCHOOLOCCUPATNSATHLETEFACT CHECK

And I’m gay. He went on to bee the first active publicly gay athlete of North Ameri’s four major pro sports when he signed wh the Brooklyn Nets Febary then, Colls has ma an outstandg social impact.

Whether ’s trans rights or “Don’t Say Gay” or no pri flags Florida, which is crazy to me, ’s a nstant remr that regardls of the social jtice issu — racial equy, women’s rights to choose, LGBTQ+ issu — there are people on the other si of that issue who are workg nstantly to roll back thgs and ph back time. There was a gay uple there celebratg New Year’s.

JASON COLLS ME OUT 10 YEARS AGO, HERG A PERD OF CREASG GAY VISIBILY MEN’S SPORTS

” It was one of those thgs where I jt wanted to nnect wh this inty of beg an openly gay man. 6 rebounds per game, before beg a ee 2014, Colls signed a 10-day ntract wh the Brooklyn Nets, officially makg him the first openly gay athlete to sign wh a U. He played 13 seasons the Out On April 29, 2013, the ter l up wh the revelatn that Colls was gay, makg him the first openly gay active male athlete the four major North Amerin sports.

In an article released the May 6 issue of Sports Illtrated, Colls ma his official announcement and explaed his reasong for g out when he did: Havg grown tired of guardg his secret for years, he was trated when he uld not jo his former roommate, Massachetts Congrsman Joseph Kennedy III, and participate Boston's 2012 Gay Pri Para.

HERE ARE THE 6 GAY MEN WHO HAVE BEEN OUT PUBLICLY WHILE PETG PRO BASKETBALL

The same day the Sports Illtrated story ran 2013, Colls lled Moos to tell her he was gay. QUICK FACTSName: Jason CollsBirth Year: 1978Birth date: December 2, 1978Birth State: CaliforniaBirth Cy: NorthridgeBirth Country: Uned StatGenr: MaleBt Known For: Amerin profsnal basketball player Jason Colls beme the first active openly gay male athlete the four major North Amerin profsnal sports.

JASON COLLS, FIRST OPENLY GAY ATHLETE TO PLAY NBA, MAK U.S. SPORTS HISTORY

Sce Jim Buzski and I started Outsports 1999, we’d talked about an active gay player the Big Four — MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL — g out publicly. A young, gay Black athlete om the Midwt was an important summ attene that year. They each happened to be gay.

Yet was that private moment wh that young gay Black athlete that my rpect multiplied. Colls has seen the effects of beg out the sport firsthand, talkg repeatedly about one of his former teammat who ed anti-gay slurs the locker room eventually beg a supporter. When athlet e out the locker room, the “sual homophobia” of locker-room talk often subsis.

Few gay pro athlet have e out men’s sports the last 7 years.

JASON COLLS: 5 SURPRISG FACTS ABOUT THE FIRST OPENLY GAY NBA PLAYER

In 10 years, Colls remas the only active NBA player to e out publicly (Bill Kennedy is an active gay NBA referee who is out; player John Amaechi me out after retirg).

When Rogers me out MLS, Michael Sam me out the NFL and Colls me out, I was nvced this was the begng of a seri of gay and bi athlet who would e out publicly men’s pro sports.

NBA STAR JASON COLLS STARTED DATG HIS GAY PARTNER AFTER 8-YEAR-LONG ENGAGEMENT TO FAMO FIANCéE - MEET HIS BOYIEND

Sce those three gay pro athlet me out the urse of a year, only two active athlet big-time Amerin men’s pro sports have e out publicly while on a team: Coll Mart MLS and Carl Nassib the NFL. When John Amaechi me out publicly 2007, he was ahead of his time, sharg that he’s gay and a former profsnal basketball player. Sce Colls showed the world you uld be a gay man profsnal basketball, there has been a trickle of gay athlet to follow, most recently former NBA player and current Atralian pro basketball player Isaac Humphri.

Here are the gay men who have blazed a trail on basketball urts around the world.

On Febary 23, 2014, Brooklyn Nets center Jason Colls be the first openly gay athlete to play a game the Uned Stat’ four major profsnal leagu. The 35-year-old journeyman plays 10 srels mut, rerdg two rebounds and five fouls the Nets’ 108-102 victory over the Los Angel May 2013, Colls revealed he is gay a first-person say  Sports Illtrated. And I'm gay, " he wrote.

JASON COLLS IS THE 1ST OPENLY GAY NBA PLAYER AND WAS ENGAGED TO A WOMAN — INSI HIS STORY

"I didn't set out to be the first openly gay athlete playg a major Amerin team sport. In 2021, Las Vegas Rairs fensive leman Carl Nassib beme the first active NFL player to announce he is gay. In fact, was a nversatn that Colls and Kennedy had about the ngrsman marchg a gay pri para that prompted Colls to reveal his homosexualy.

I was proud of him for participatg but angry that as a closeted gay man I uldn’t even cheer my straight iend on as a spectator. After Colls’ announcement, she tweeted her support for her iend: “Very proud of my iend Jason Colls for havg the strength & urage to be the first openly gay player the NBA.

JASON COLLS, FIRST OPENLY GAY NBA PLAYER, REFLECTS ON LEGACY, LIFE AFTER BASKETBALL

NBA star Jason Colls shocked the world when he revealed he was gay. Like many morn stars, Colls has joed the club of those livg their 2013 the now 42-years-old revealed he was gay and received massive support om former Print Barack Obama, NBA star Kobe Bryant, and sportg wear brand Nike. A photo of profsnal basketballer, Jason Colls | Photo: Getty ImagLIVING A LIEBefore gog public wh his inty and fearlsly sharg his love life on social media, Colls tried to blend like everyone else and was a relatnship wh former WNBA player Carolyn said she was as shocked as everyone else when he me out of the closet as she had no ia he was gay when they athlete once admted to supprsg his te self by datg different women as he did not want to be perceived as weird or have his reer brought to a sudn halt by the ld receptn he would have former Washgton Wizards star got engaged at some pot as he battled wh the feelg that gettg married and startg a fay would help silence the ragg war his head about his sexualy.