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NBA's Jason Collins hopes gay athletes will follow suit NBA's Jason Collins hopes gay athletes will follow suit
(about 5 hours later)
Basketball player Jason Collins has said it is "mind-boggling" to be the first active male athlete in a major sport in the US to come out as gay.Basketball player Jason Collins has said it is "mind-boggling" to be the first active male athlete in a major sport in the US to come out as gay.
In an interview with ABC News, Collins said he had never set out to do so and that he hoped other professional athletes would now follow his lead.In an interview with ABC News, Collins said he had never set out to do so and that he hoped other professional athletes would now follow his lead.
On Monday, he declared in Sports Illustrated: "I'm a 34-year-old NBA center. I'm black. And I'm gay."On Monday, he declared in Sports Illustrated: "I'm a 34-year-old NBA center. I'm black. And I'm gay."
Collins has since been inundated with messages of support.Collins has since been inundated with messages of support.
President Barack Obama had called Collins to tell him he was impressed with his courage the White House said. On Tuesday, US President Barack Obama said he had spoken with Collins, whom he called "a terrific young man".
"I told him I couldn't be prouder of him," he told reporters at the White House.
"Americans should be proud that this is just one more step in the ongoing recognition that we treat everybody fairly and that everybody's part of a family, and we judge people on the basis of their character and their performance and not their sexual orientation," he said.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant and several of Collins's fellow NBA players also offered their backing.Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant and several of Collins's fellow NBA players also offered their backing.
"Don't suffocate who u r because of the ignorance of others," Bryant wrote on Twitter."Don't suffocate who u r because of the ignorance of others," Bryant wrote on Twitter.
'Come on guys''Come on guys'
Speaking to ABC News' George Stephanopoulos in an exclusive interview on Monday night, Collins revealed: "That's kind of mind-boggling... I never set out to be the first."Speaking to ABC News' George Stephanopoulos in an exclusive interview on Monday night, Collins revealed: "That's kind of mind-boggling... I never set out to be the first."
"I'm ready to raise my hand but, you know, you still look around like, 'OK, come on guys.'"I'm ready to raise my hand but, you know, you still look around like, 'OK, come on guys.'
"It's time for someone else in the room to raise their hand and say: 'You know what? Yeah, so big deal. I can still play basketball. I can still help the team win, and that's what's most important,'" he added."It's time for someone else in the room to raise their hand and say: 'You know what? Yeah, so big deal. I can still play basketball. I can still help the team win, and that's what's most important,'" he added.
In the Sports Illustrated article, Collins, who has most recently played for the Washington Wizards and the Boston Celtics, said: "I didn't set out to be the first openly gay athlete playing in a major American team sport."In the Sports Illustrated article, Collins, who has most recently played for the Washington Wizards and the Boston Celtics, said: "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.""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."
Collins has played 11 seasons in the NBA with six teams and is currently a free agent.Collins has played 11 seasons in the NBA with six teams and is currently a free agent.
He explained that in 2012 he had changed his uniform number to 98 - a number with significance for the gay community in the US - as a gesture of solidarity.He explained that in 2012 he had changed his uniform number to 98 - a number with significance for the gay community in the US - as a gesture of solidarity.
Several male athletes have previously come out after retirement from sport in the US, including the former NBA star John Amaechi, the NFL's Esera Tuaolo and Major League Baseball's Billy Bean.Several male athletes have previously come out after retirement from sport in the US, including the former NBA star John Amaechi, the NFL's Esera Tuaolo and Major League Baseball's Billy Bean.