Jason Collins (Wizards) first active, major-sport athlete to come out

Pro Sports 187 replies 3,241 views
gorocks99's avatar
gorocks99
Posts: 10,760
Apr 29, 2013 11:17am
In an editorial to appear in the May 6 Sports Illustrated: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/magazine/news/20130429/jason-collins-gay-nba-player/
Commander of Awesome's avatar
Commander of Awesome
Posts: 23,151
Apr 29, 2013 11:27am
Just came here to post this. About time. Hope others will follow in his footsteps so a few years from now no one will GAF.
Commander of Awesome's avatar
Commander of Awesome
Posts: 23,151
Apr 29, 2013 11:27am


To Jason Collins
justincredible's avatar
justincredible
Posts: 32,056
Apr 29, 2013 11:31am
Commander of Awesome;1435581 wrote:Hope others will follow in his footsteps so a few years from now no one will GAF.
Agreed. I look forward to the day that this isn't news.
chicago510's avatar
chicago510
Posts: 5,728
Apr 29, 2013 11:32am
You know it was a matter of time.

Robbie Rogers (soccer) came out a few months ago. There are gay athletes out there, its a shame they feel the need to keep it inside.

Kudos to Jason. Being first is never easy.
derek bomar's avatar
derek bomar
Posts: 3,722
Apr 29, 2013 11:54am
article said he's a free agent. And he's in his 12th year... is he really active? Is he going to play next year? If not, is he technically the 1st?
ts1227's avatar
ts1227
Posts: 12,319
Apr 29, 2013 12:06pm
Commander of Awesome;1435581 wrote:Just came here to post this. About time. Hope others will follow in his footsteps so a few years from now no one will GAF.

Exactly my thoughts
Fly4Fun's avatar
Fly4Fun
Posts: 7,730
Apr 29, 2013 12:10pm
I'm with CoA on this. I'm glad he did this and I hope others follow his lead. This really shouldn't be a major issue. I knew a few openly gay athletes in college and it didn't cause any problems on those teams.

The whole "gay" issue is something that's just going to become more acceptable over time as those who are 30 or younger continue to grow older as most people below that age have known quite a few openly gay people and see them as normal individuals just like any other person.
bases_loaded's avatar
bases_loaded
Posts: 6,912
Apr 29, 2013 12:28pm
Good thing hes gay, if not...no one would know who the hell Jason Collins was.
G
Gblock
Apr 29, 2013 12:30pm
his reward will be not getting signed for next season
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vball10set
Posts: 24,795
Apr 29, 2013 12:40pm
Commander of Awesome;1435581 wrote:Just came here to post this. About time. Hope others will follow in his footsteps so a few years from now no one will GAF.
justincredible;1435584 wrote:Agreed. I look forward to the day that this isn't news.
These. Kudos to Jason Collins and all the others that will follow :thumbup:
Fly4Fun's avatar
Fly4Fun
Posts: 7,730
Apr 29, 2013 12:44pm
Gblock;1435604 wrote:his reward will be not getting signed for next season
I'm naturally a huge skeptic and questioned whether there was an ulterior motive in him coming out. I did not know who he was, his numbers indicate he sees limited time, he's getting older. Is he coming out to somehow influence his future employment (or lack there of) situation. "I was in the league, I came out as a free agent and now no one will give me a contract."

I didn't want to say anything in my original post as there is nothing to suggest this other than circumstantial evidence, and I think the focus should be on the acceptance of gay individuals. But that thought immediately crept in my mind, it's just my nature to be skeptical.
ernest_t_bass's avatar
ernest_t_bass
Posts: 24,984
Apr 29, 2013 1:11pm
He's probably going to go to hell.
ernest_t_bass's avatar
ernest_t_bass
Posts: 24,984
Apr 29, 2013 1:29pm
Apparently Mike Wallace (LOLPhins) just tweeted this:

[LEFT]"All these beautiful women in the world and guys wanna mess with other guys"[/LEFT]
gorocks99's avatar
gorocks99
Posts: 10,760
Apr 29, 2013 1:36pm
ernest_t_bass;1435621 wrote:Apparently Mike Wallace (LOLPhins) just tweeted this:

[LEFT]"All these beautiful women in the world and guys wanna mess with other guys"[/LEFT]
And then promptly: "Never said anything was right or wrong I just said I don't understand!! Deeply sorry for anyone that I offended"
Commander of Awesome's avatar
Commander of Awesome
Posts: 23,151
Apr 29, 2013 1:40pm
ernest_t_bass;1435621 wrote:Apparently Mike Wallace (LOLPhins) just tweeted this:

[LEFT]"All these beautiful women in the world and guys wanna mess with other guys"[/LEFT]
Typical Steeler scumbag. Glad Cleveland didn't sign him, and can't wait for Haden to hopefully pwn him opening game.
Pick6's avatar
Pick6
Posts: 14,946
Apr 29, 2013 1:52pm
Fly4Fun;1435613 wrote:I'm naturally a huge skeptic and questioned whether there was an ulterior motive in him coming out. I did not know who he was, his numbers indicate he sees limited time, he's getting older. Is he coming out to somehow influence his future employment (or lack there of) situation. "I was in the league, I came out as a free agent and now no one will give me a contract."

I didn't want to say anything in my original post as there is nothing to suggest this other than circumstantial evidence, and I think the focus should be on the acceptance of gay individuals. But that thought immediately crept in my mind, it's just my nature to be skeptical.
It definitely crossed my mind as well.

It would mean a lot more if it were an active/relevant player.
Fab4Runner's avatar
Fab4Runner
Posts: 6,196
Apr 29, 2013 1:58pm
Pick6;1435631 wrote:It definitely crossed my mind as well.

It would mean a lot more if it were an active/relevant player.
To whom?
Heretic's avatar
Heretic
Posts: 18,820
Apr 29, 2013 1:59pm
Commander of Awesome;1435625 wrote:Typical Steeler scumbag. Glad Cleveland didn't sign him, and can't wait for Haden to hopefully pwn him opening game.
Even though he is under contract to another team when he made these comments? lol
Commander of Awesome's avatar
Commander of Awesome
Posts: 23,151
Apr 29, 2013 2:01pm
Heretic;1435633 wrote:Even though he is under contract to another team when he made these comments? lol
Drafted by them. Guilty by association. Wonder if him and Mendenhall are friends.
Heretic's avatar
Heretic
Posts: 18,820
Apr 29, 2013 2:05pm
Commander of Awesome;1435635 wrote:Drafted by them. Guilty by association. Wonder if him and Mendenhall are friends.
lol
Pick6's avatar
Pick6
Posts: 14,946
Apr 29, 2013 2:06pm
Fab4Runner;1435632 wrote:To whom?
Me, everybody. Its still meaningful, Im just saying I dont think it is near as big as it could be.
tk421's avatar
tk421
Posts: 8,500
Apr 29, 2013 2:11pm
Yeah, let's see someone in the prime of their career come out.
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vball10set
Posts: 24,795
Apr 29, 2013 2:22pm
tk421;1435640 wrote:Yeah, let's see someone in the prime of their career come out.
I have a feeling you won't have to wait long.
Fly4Fun's avatar
Fly4Fun
Posts: 7,730
Apr 29, 2013 2:24pm
tk421;1435640 wrote:Yeah, let's see someone in the prime of their career come out.
LeBron's next big televised decision:

"I'm taking my talents... to play for the other team."