NBA player Jason Collins ignited a flurry of commentary on Twitter after Sports Illustrated tweeted his first-person story in which he comes out as gay, becoming the first male athlete to do so while still active in a major U.S. sport.
"I'm a 34-year-old NBA center. I'm black. And I'm gay," Collins wrote. "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."
This Week's Cover: The Gay Athlete STORY: bit.ly/12J9el5 COVER: twitter.com/SInow/status/3…— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) April 29, 2013
Collins' news -- announced first online on SI.com and the Sports Illustrated Twitter account -- has attracted high-profile support from his NBA family as well as other celebrities, including Kobe Bryant and Bill Clinton.
Proud of @jasoncollins34. Don't suffocate who u r because of the ignorance of others #courage #support #mambaarmystandup #BYOU— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) April 29, 2013
Earlier this year, Bryant also criticized his fans for using the word "gay" as an insult. He was previously fined $100,000 in 2011 for tossing a gay slur toward a referee, but has since changed his tune as evidenced by his message to Collins.
I'm proud to call Jason Collins a friend. wjcf.co/154piCi— Bill Clinton (@billclinton) April 29, 2013
Clinton released a full message, too:
"I have known Jason Collins since he was Chelsea's classmate and friend at Stanford. Jason's announcement today is an important moment for professional sports and in the history of the LGBT community. It is also the straightforward statement of a good man who wants no more than what so many of us seek: to be able to be who we are; to do our work; to build families and to contribute to our communities. For so many members of the LGBT community, these simple goals remain elusive. I hope that everyone, particularly Jason's colleagues in the NBA, the media and his many fans extend to him their support and the respect he has earned."
First lady Michelle Obama and NBA Commissioner David Stern also chimed in via Twitter, as did many other big names from around the Twittersphere.
So proud of you, Jason Collins! This is a huge step forward for our country. We’ve got your back! -mo— FLOTUS (@FLOTUS) April 29, 2013
NBA Commissioner David Stern statement re: Washington Wizards center Jason Collins announcement today: (1/4)— NBA (@NBA) April 29, 2013
“As Adam Silver and I said to Jason, we have known the Collins family since Jason and Jarron joined the NBA in 2001 (2/4)— NBA (@NBA) April 29, 2013
and they have been exemplary members of the NBA family. Jason has been a widely respected player and teammate throughout (3/4)— NBA (@NBA) April 29, 2013
his career and we are proud he has assumed the leadership mantle on this very important issue.” #NBAFamily (4/4)— NBA (@NBA) April 29, 2013
#Wizards Statement "We are extremely proud of Jason & support his decision to live his life proudly and openly." More nba.com/wizards/wizard…— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) April 29, 2013
Well done Jason Collins- you are a brave man. And a big man at that:) 1981 was the year for me- 2013 is the year for you:)— Martina Navratilova (@Martina) April 29, 2013
It’s not easy to come out when one is still active- shouldn’t be an issue, but it is. That’s why so many don’t do it till after.— Martina Navratilova (@Martina) April 29, 2013
The time has come. Maximum respect. RT @baron_davis: I am so proud of my bro @jasoncollins34 for being real. ... tmi.me/TGSBh— Steve Nash (@SteveNash) April 29, 2013
Congrats @jasoncollins34 !! Giant leap for sports - and the conversation continues!sportsillustrated.cnn.com/magazine/news/…— Lance Bass (@LanceBass) April 29, 2013
"@flaker11: @spikelee what's is your take on players announcing they are gay??? Jason Collins just did"Beautiful Thing. Be Yourself.— Spike Lee (@SpikeLee) April 29, 2013
Big kudos to @jasoncollins34. Living proof that your sexuality has nothing to do with your athletic ability. sportsillustrated.cnn.com/magazine/news/… #salute— Chris Kluwe (@ChrisWarcraft) April 29, 2013
I am so proud of my bro @jasoncollins34 for being real. #FTheHaters bit.ly/12J9el5— Baron Davis (@Baron_Davis) April 29, 2013
Very proud of my friend Jason Collins for having the strength & courage to be the first openly gay player in the NBA. bit.ly/ZLei9F— Chelsea Clinton (@ChelseaClinton) April 29, 2013
proud of Washington Wizards' player Jason Collins (@jasoncollins34) for coming out. we will stand with you as you continue on your journey.— Russell Simmons (@UncleRUSH) April 29, 2013
So proud of @jasoncollins34 for having the courage to stand up and out for who he is. I support, respect and salute you!!— Michael Strahan (@michaelstrahan) April 29, 2013
Big support to @jasoncollins34.That's not an easy thing you did— Howard Stern (@HowardStern) April 29, 2013
Being real & authentic is very powerful. Well done Jason Collins for having the courage to take a monumental step forward. #LiveReal— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) April 29, 2013
Good for Jason Collins. I'd be proud to call him a teammate if I played in the NBA— Aaron Crow (@acrow43) April 29, 2013
We salute you, @jasoncollins34 for your courage and leadership. Any time you want to throw out a first pitch at Fenway Park, let us know.— Boston Red Sox (@RedSox) April 29, 2013
Today NBA player Jason Collins became 1st active male athlete in major US team sport to come out-congrats! bit.ly/YhkbvE via @sinow— Katie Couric (@katiecouric) April 29, 2013
Bravo, @jasoncollins34! Thanks for stepping up. For standing tall. And at 7 feet, that's saying a lot.— Neil Patrick Harris (@ActuallyNPH) April 29, 2013
right on. RT @howardsternBig support to @jasoncollins34.That's not an easy thing you did— John Stamos (@JohnStamos) April 29, 2013
'He exemplifies everything we look for in players' - @bkdefend on Jason Collins. More: on.nba.com/15VcD4i— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) April 29, 2013
Doc Rivers: "I am extremely happy and proud of Jason Collins. He’s a pro’s pro." Read Doc's full statement: on.nba.com/15UPgaR— Boston Celtics (@celtics) April 29, 2013
The baseball world voices its support for @jasoncollins34: atmlb.com/ZLYgwk— MLB (@MLB) April 29, 2013
Much respect to my teammate @jasoncollins34 for being #real— Garrett Temple (@GTemp14) April 29, 2013
I will always support people for being who they are. Happy for @jasoncollins34 that he can lead an honest life.— Nick Swisher (@NickSwisher) April 29, 2013
Same! RT @diablocody: Congrats, Jason Collins, and thank you!— Katy Perry (@katyperry) April 29, 2013
.@nba center @jasoncollins34 is the 1st out player on a US major league team. I'm overwhelmed by your bravery, Jason, & sending so much love— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) April 29, 2013
"We have great respect for Jason and his message today." Our full statement on former Hawk Jason Collins: on.nba.com/ZZhF7n #NBAFamily— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) April 29, 2013
The Human Rights Campaign also joined the conversation, buying this promoted tweet.
RT to congratulate NBA player @jasoncollins34 for his courage to come out twitter.com/HRC/status/328…— HumanRightsCampaign (@HRC) April 29, 2013
SEE ALSO: Jason Collins Thanks Fans on Twitter After Coming Out
All the support I have received today is truly inspirational. I knew that I was choosing the road less traveled but I'm not walking it alone— Jason Collins (@jasoncollins34) April 29, 2013
Thank you to everyone who has reached out to me thru email, texts, calls, tweets, letters, and every other form of communication. #support— Jason Collins (@jasoncollins34) April 29, 2013