# First openly gay athlete playing in a major American team sport- NBA player Jason Collins **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [April 29, 2013, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-openly-gay-athlete-playing-in-a-major-american-team-sport-nba-player-jason-collins/657012 "2013-04-29T15:52:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Smitty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e274bd/32.png) [@Smitty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smitty)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2013, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-openly-gay-athlete-playing-in-a-major-american-team-sport-nba-player-jason-collins/657012/21 "2013-04-29T23:45:49Z")
Big deal. Now if a male figure skater came out as straight, THAT would be newsworthy! ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2013, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-openly-gay-athlete-playing-in-a-major-american-team-sport-nba-player-jason-collins/657012/22 "2013-04-29T23:52:18Z")
I would have thought the first would be in the NHL, actually, considering the campaign against homophobia in the league. Huh. Well done, Collins. Rock on. ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2013, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-openly-gay-athlete-playing-in-a-major-american-team-sport-nba-player-jason-collins/657012/23 "2013-04-30T00:00:08Z")
He is not actually under contract to any teams and at the tail end of a very unremarkable career. What makes him different to [John Amaechi](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Amaechi)? ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2013, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-openly-gay-athlete-playing-in-a-major-american-team-sport-nba-player-jason-collins/657012/24 "2013-04-30T00:13:00Z")
> [@DigitalC](#): > > He is not actually under contract to any teams and at the tail end of a very unremarkable career. What makes him different to [John Amaechi](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Amaechi)? He’s not retired, and plans to continue playing. By conventional reckoning he’s still an “active” player until he announces otherwise, or the next season is well under way with him still unemployed. ---
**Author:** ![Slypork](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9fc29f/32.png) [@Slypork](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slypork)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2013, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-openly-gay-athlete-playing-in-a-major-american-team-sport-nba-player-jason-collins/657012/25 "2013-04-30T00:39:43Z")
And our first media asshat [speaks up](http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/espns-chris-broussard-calls-homosexuality-448377) ---
**Author:** ![Tequila\_Party](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a6a055/32.png) [@Tequila\_Party](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tequila_Party)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2013, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-openly-gay-athlete-playing-in-a-major-american-team-sport-nba-player-jason-collins/657012/26 "2013-04-30T00:49:52Z")
I wish when that happens that more people would simply state that they cared less what the bible’s opinion was on things. If someone dismisses your “authority” right off the bat, that doesn’t leave much room to have an argument by yourself. And no, I promise I’m not following you, **Slypork**. Sorry if it looks that way. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Locrian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/locrian/32/14146_2.png) [@Locrian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Locrian)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2013, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-openly-gay-athlete-playing-in-a-major-american-team-sport-nba-player-jason-collins/657012/27 "2013-04-30T04:47:07Z")
> [@Slypork](#): > > And our first media asshat [speaks up](http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/espns-chris-broussard-calls-homosexuality-448377) Yeah, and a lot of comments are supporting Broussard. :rolleyes: Here’s a prime example: "All he did was speak the truth. Does anyone believe God’s opinion has changed just because some people decided it was ok. God only gets one vote but its the only one that counts in the end. " Yeah. Keep thinking that, bibleputz. ---
**Author:** ![Tequila\_Party](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a6a055/32.png) [@Tequila\_Party](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tequila_Party)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2013, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-openly-gay-athlete-playing-in-a-major-american-team-sport-nba-player-jason-collins/657012/28 "2013-04-30T05:04:51Z")
So, God’s vote on slavery changed? Interesting that. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2013, 7:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-openly-gay-athlete-playing-in-a-major-american-team-sport-nba-player-jason-collins/657012/29 "2013-04-30T07:02:49Z")
> [@Slypork](#): > > And our first media asshat [speaks up](http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/espns-chris-broussard-calls-homosexuality-448377) Ugh. People like that disgust me. Hey asshole, if you don’t want to be called a bigot – don’t make bigotted remarks! :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Slypork](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9fc29f/32.png) [@Slypork](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slypork)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2013, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-openly-gay-athlete-playing-in-a-major-american-team-sport-nba-player-jason-collins/657012/30 "2013-04-30T13:35:59Z")
> [@Tequila\_Party](#): > > I wish when that happens that more people would simply state that they cared less what the bible’s opinion was on things. If someone dismisses your “authority” right off the bat, that doesn’t leave much room to have an argument by yourself. > > And no, I promise I’m not following you, **Slypork**. Sorry if it looks that way. 🙂 Hurray! My first stalker! Don’t worry, I won’t file a restraining order. Well, if Broussard gets fired I’m sure he can get a new job as the press agent for Westboro Baptist. ---
**Author:** ![Idle\_Thoughts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/838e76/32.png) [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2013, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-openly-gay-athlete-playing-in-a-major-american-team-sport-nba-player-jason-collins/657012/31 "2013-04-30T19:06:38Z")
Going to slide this over to the Game Room. ---
**Author:** ![Slypork](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9fc29f/32.png) [@Slypork](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slypork)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2013, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-openly-gay-athlete-playing-in-a-major-american-team-sport-nba-player-jason-collins/657012/32 "2013-04-30T19:12:06Z")
> [@Idle\_Thoughts](#): > > Going to slide this over to the Game Room. Just curious: since when is gay support vs homophobia a game? Or is it just because this is about a basketball player? Not being an ass, just want to understand the reason for the move. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Idle\_Thoughts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/838e76/32.png) [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2013, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-openly-gay-athlete-playing-in-a-major-american-team-sport-nba-player-jason-collins/657012/33 "2013-04-30T19:12:51Z")
It’s because it’s about a sports player, yes. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2013, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-openly-gay-athlete-playing-in-a-major-american-team-sport-nba-player-jason-collins/657012/34 "2013-04-30T19:27:46Z")
Haven’t read this whole thread, but I just can’t believe this is a news story in 2013. :rolleyes: Not long after Magic Johnson announced he had AIDS, when he was doing broadcasting, my brother heard him say, “Look at all those beautiful bodies down there on the court!” :eek: He said, “When I heard that, I knew he did not get AIDS from a woman.” ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2013, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-openly-gay-athlete-playing-in-a-major-american-team-sport-nba-player-jason-collins/657012/35 "2013-04-30T20:40:19Z")
They had a guys on the local sports station, an NBA writer whose name escapes me, who felt it was pretty much a given that Collins will have a job next season if he feels like he wants one (he has, after all, played a long time and made a lot of money already.) Basically, his argument was this; Collins is a marginal player, but he’s a player of a type - a string defensive big man - that most teams really, really need a spare in. He is also, at least to the subjective analysis of a lot of observers, in better shape than he used to be in and so is good to go for a few more seasons. A lot of teams need a guy like Collins. Even if some don’t want the gay player, \*it only takes one \*to say “Man, we really need someone who can play some D in the post, let’s call his agent.” Someone will hire him. ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2013, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-openly-gay-athlete-playing-in-a-major-american-team-sport-nba-player-jason-collins/657012/36 "2013-04-30T20:45:09Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > Not long after Magic Johnson announced he had AIDS, when he was doing broadcasting, my brother heard him say, “Look at all those beautiful bodies down there on the court!” :eek: He said, “When I heard that, I knew he did not get AIDS from a woman.” It’s possible to appreciate the aesthetics of something without finding it erotic and refusing to accept another person’s explanation of something that is their business on nothing more than gut feeling is tacky at best. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2013, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-openly-gay-athlete-playing-in-a-major-american-team-sport-nba-player-jason-collins/657012/37 "2013-04-30T23:09:31Z")
> [@DigitalC](#): > > He is not actually under contract to any teams and at the tail end of a very unremarkable career. What makes him different to [John Amaechi](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Amaechi)? He’s a significantly better player. Collins has been in the NBA for 12 years and was the starter on a team that reached the NBA finals; Amaechi spent as much time in international leagues as he did in the NBA. As a basketball fan Collins was a name I recognized and Amaechi wasn’t. It’s a difference of degree, I admit - he’s not an All-Star or a world famous player. > [@Slypork](#): > > And our first media asshat [speaks up](http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/espns-chris-broussard-calls-homosexuality-448377) Mike Wallace of the Steelers said some dumb things, too, although they were more idiotic than hateful. I wonder if Broussard just got himself fired. > [@RickJay](#): > > They had a guys on the local sports station, an NBA writer whose name escapes me, who felt it was pretty much a given that Collins will have a job next season if he feels like he wants one (he has, after all, played a long time and made a lot of money already.) > > Basically, his argument was this; Collins is a marginal player, but he’s a player of a type - a string defensive big man - that most teams really, really need a spare in. He is also, at least to the subjective analysis of a lot of observers, in better shape than he used to be in and so is good to go for a few more seasons. > > A lot of teams need a guy like Collins. Even if some don’t want the gay player, \*it only takes one \*to say “Man, we really need someone who can play some D in the post, let’s call his agent.” Someone will hire him. Right. I think he could play next season or a few more seasons in the same kind of role he had with the Celtics: a backup center who can give a contending team 10 or 15 minutes of defense a night. The Celtics had to include him as part of a larger trade during the season, but they didn’t want to - they say they really liked him. I think it’s unlikely a young or rebuilding team would sign him, but I could see a team like the Heat or the Thunder or the Bulls bringing him in. ---
**Author:** ![kevja](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/aeb1de/32.png) [@kevja](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kevja)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2013, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-openly-gay-athlete-playing-in-a-major-american-team-sport-nba-player-jason-collins/657012/38 "2013-04-30T23:29:34Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > Finally, the first openly-gay professional sports player, [Jason Collins](http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/magazine/news/20130429/jason-collins-gay-nba-player/). Nice article. the first openly-gay (team) professional sports player. it’s a beautiful day! ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2013, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-openly-gay-athlete-playing-in-a-major-american-team-sport-nba-player-jason-collins/657012/39 "2013-05-01T00:52:22Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > Right. I think he could play next season or a few more seasons in the same kind of role he had with the Celtics: a backup center who can give a contending team 10 or 15 minutes of defense a night. The Celtics had to include him as part of a larger trade during the season, but they didn’t want to - they say they really liked him. I think it’s unlikely a young or rebuilding team would sign him, but I could see a team like the Heat or the Thunder or the Bulls bringing him in. Interestingly, I heard the same thing; the Celtics were not at all in a rush to let him go. The question a lot of teams will be asking themselves is “do we have a guy on the bench who’s seven feet tall and can defend the basket as well as Jason Collins?” At least 12-14 teams will think “no, we don’t.” ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2013, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-openly-gay-athlete-playing-in-a-major-american-team-sport-nba-player-jason-collins/657012/40 "2013-05-01T01:03:05Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > The question a lot of teams will be asking themselves is “do we have a guy on the bench who’s seven feet tall and can defend the basket as well as Jason Collins?” At least 12-14 teams will think “no, we don’t.” Right. I think only the contending teams are likely to be interested because other teams might prefer to try developing a younger player, but big guys who play competent defense aren’t easy to find. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-openly-gay-athlete-playing-in-a-major-american-team-sport-nba-player-jason-collins/657012.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-openly-gay-athlete-playing-in-a-major-american-team-sport-nba-player-jason-collins/657012.md?page=3)