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Openly gay Nets player Jason Collins met Matthew Shepard's family after win Gay Nets player Jason Collins meets Matthew Shepard's family after win
(35 minutes later)
The Brooklyn Nets centre Jason Collins, the only openly gay player in any of the major US sporting leagues, on Thursday night met the family of Matthew Shepard. Collins wears the number 98 in tribute to the student who was murdered in Wyoming 16 years ago.The Brooklyn Nets centre Jason Collins, the only openly gay player in any of the major US sporting leagues, on Thursday night met the family of Matthew Shepard. Collins wears the number 98 in tribute to the student who was murdered in Wyoming 16 years ago.
Using Twitter, Collins said: “I’m so fortunate to have met Matthew Shepard’s parents and brother tonight after @BrooklynNets win tonight in Denver”.Using Twitter, Collins said: “I’m so fortunate to have met Matthew Shepard’s parents and brother tonight after @BrooklynNets win tonight in Denver”.
In April 2013, when Collins, then with the Washington Wizards, announced his decision to come out, he said: “The number [98] has great significance to the gay community. One of the most notorious antigay hate crimes occurred in 1998. Matthew Shepard, a University of Wyoming student, was kidnapped, tortured and lashed to a prairie fence. He died five days after he was finally found.In April 2013, when Collins, then with the Washington Wizards, announced his decision to come out, he said: “The number [98] has great significance to the gay community. One of the most notorious antigay hate crimes occurred in 1998. Matthew Shepard, a University of Wyoming student, was kidnapped, tortured and lashed to a prairie fence. He died five days after he was finally found.
“When I put on my jersey I was making a statement to myself, my family and my friends.”“When I put on my jersey I was making a statement to myself, my family and my friends.”
Without a contract at the start of the current NBA season, Collins signed a 10-day with the Nets last week and returned to the court on Sunday. He wore the No98 for the first time as a Net as he played the final 10 minutes of Thursday’s 112-89 victory over the Nuggets. For his first appearance, which lasted for eight minutes in a 108-102 win over the Los Angeles Lakers, only the No46 was available.Without a contract at the start of the current NBA season, Collins signed a 10-day with the Nets last week and returned to the court on Sunday. He wore the No98 for the first time as a Net as he played the final 10 minutes of Thursday’s 112-89 victory over the Nuggets. For his first appearance, which lasted for eight minutes in a 108-102 win over the Los Angeles Lakers, only the No46 was available.
Now a prominent advocate of gay rights, in January Collins was a guest of Michelle Obama at the state of the union address. The 35-year-old, who has also played for the Atlanta Hawks, the Boston Celtics, the Memphis Grizzlies, the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Nets when they were based in New Jersey, has stated a wish to stay in the league after the end of his deal.Now a prominent advocate of gay rights, in January Collins was a guest of Michelle Obama at the state of the union address. The 35-year-old, who has also played for the Atlanta Hawks, the Boston Celtics, the Memphis Grizzlies, the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Nets when they were based in New Jersey, has stated a wish to stay in the league after the end of his deal.
Earlier this month, the University of Missouri defensive end Michael Sam, a leading NFL prospect, announced that he was gay. His name is set to be among the most prominent in the 2014 NFL Draft, which takes place in New York in May.Earlier this month, the University of Missouri defensive end Michael Sam, a leading NFL prospect, announced that he was gay. His name is set to be among the most prominent in the 2014 NFL Draft, which takes place in New York in May.