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Jason Collins

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» Monday, May 6 2013

At least one publisher turned down the book, said one official, who noted the extensive media coverage of Collins and expressed concern that his story already has been told. Boston Herald

You can add John Salley to the list of those speaking publicly in support of NBA center Jason Collins. Collins became the first American athlete from a team sport to acknowledge his homosexuality when he announced it via an exclusive first-person account that appeared at SI.com. There was a chorus of public support and Salley said late last week: “I’m proud of Jason. Whatever makes him happy, I’m all for it. Why is this a question? Why is the sexuality of anyone an issue? Detroit Free Press

The Los Angeles Lakers player was hangin' out in Beverly Hills today when we asked about Jason's big announcement ... and the 36-year-old veteran had a lot to say. Antawn -- who's been in the league since 1998 -- told us he's glad Jason came out ... and he's happy the guy can "be who he really is." But Antawn says not everyone feels the same way -- telling us, "Of course, you're going to have some closed-minded people, let's be realistic." "That's life." TMZ.com

 

» Sunday, May 5 2013

Jarron laughed, realizing that his brother’s announcement was not only career-defining but also life-defining. Now a part-time commentator and scout with the Los Angeles Clippers, Jarron couldn’t be more supportive of his brother. “It’s been a very interesting last few days,” he said. “I definitely understand the mind-set of his decision to come forward, being that he’s the first gay [male] athlete to go public with his intentions. I look forward to the day when this isn’t news when somebody comes out. Having said that, it’s kind of cool that my brother got phone calls from President Clinton and President Obama, Oprah [Winfrey], definitely weird to see CNN breaking news on my brother’s sexuality, but again, it is a very bold step my brother took and I admire him and support him.” Boston Globe

“My brother, it took him a little bit longer to know himself and to know how he feels comfortable with who he is and accepting of who he is, but we each know who we are as individuals,” Jarron said. “It’s not an issue. It was always the Collins twins, ‘are you Jason or Jarron?’ But now it’s Jason Collins, the first pro sport athlete who is [publicly] gay, and Jarron Collins. We’re separate in that sense.” Boston Globe

“I don’t want and Jason doesn’t want the fact that he’s gay to define who he is,” Jarron said. “That’s just part of who he is. My brother is someone who, his teammates can speak for him, coaches, general managers, anybody . . . he’s that hard-working, character guy that you don’t have to worry about in the locker room. He’s a guy that is going to put his work in, be supportive, be a great teammate, and who could not play for three weeks and some foul trouble happens and you don’t have to worry that he’s going to be late on a defensive rotation. He’s dependable in what he does.” Boston Globe

 

» Friday, May 3 2013

On whether he thinks others will come out: Mark Cuban: “Yes. No question about it. I just think it’s a very Darwinian business. Literally, right? Either you win or you lose and I think the support elements are there at such a younger age and there aren’t the phobias.” Dallas Morning News

 

» Thursday, May 2 2013

“It’s a non issue” was the initial comment of Wolves’ GM David Kahn, whom we asked if now after the disclosure of the 34 year old center’s sexual identity, he would think twice to offer him a contract. “Νo I would not. Look, I have a 21 year old daughter and her generation doesn’t get affected by these issues. World is a place that happily accepts these issues of sexuality. Overtime it will be less and less discussed”. -But do you think that this disclosure may create a negative aura in the locker room of the team, that will sign Collins; “No I don’t”. EuroHoops.net

 

» Wednesday, May 1 2013

Former Green Bay Packers safety LeRoy Butler was scheduled to speak at a Wisconsin church about the problem of bullying — that is, until he tweeted his support to NBA player Jason Collins, who recently revealed he is gay. The day after Butler tweeted about Collins, he was contacted by the church and informed that he was no longer welcome to give a speech. For The Win

It's not all love for the first major (active) pro athlete to come out of the closet ... NBA player Jason Collins has also been the target of online death threats since announcing he's gay. The homophobic threats began appearing on Twitter right after Jason's big coming-out interview with Sports Illustrated. TMZ.com

Westboro Baptist Church plans to two NBA playoff games, using “#GodH8stheNBA” in its announcement on Twitter. Tonight’s game between the Houston Rockets and Thunder in Oklahoma City and Thursday night’s game between the Brooklyn Nets and Bulls in Chicago are the targets of their protests, which come two days after Jason Collins announced that he is gay. Washington Post

Arn Tellem: Ultimately, we agreed to do it with Sports Illustrated for a couple of reasons. They agreed to two conditions I had. One, that I wouldn’t tell them the player's name. That had to remain confidential until the time of the interview. And two, what was appealing to using Sports Illustrated was the fact that Jason could write a personal piece, in his own words, which I thought was the best way -- and so did Jason -- for him to make this announcement. Once we agreed, we followed through with that. We waited until after the season, not to be done while he was playing. We decided to wait until after the season. And because Jason was concerned that he wanted -- not to be outed -- he wanted to do it on his terms. ... he wanted to control the way the message was delivered, not somebody else. Sports Business Daily

 

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