Jason Collins Quotations

Things can change in an instant, so why not live truthfully?

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'm a 34-year-old NBA center. I'm black. And I'm gay,

Now I'm a free agent, literally and figuratively. I've reached that enviable state in life in which I can do pretty much what I want. And what I want is to continue to play basketball. I still love the game, and I still have something to offer. My coaches and teammates recognize that. At the same time, I want to be genuine and authentic and truthful.

When we get to the point where a gay pro athlete is no longer forced to live in fear that he’ll be shunned by teammates or outed by tabloids, when we get to the point where he plays while his significant other waits in the family room, when we get to the point where he’s not compelled to hide his true self and is able to live an authentic life, then coming out won’t be such a big deal. But we’re not there yet,

I am in love with the creator of heaven and earth. I see the morning sun and thank the Lord for everything that he has blessed me with. That is a perfect start to every morning.

Some people insist they've never met a gay person. But Three Degrees of Jason Collins dictates that no NBA player can claim that anymore. Pro basketball is a family. And pretty much every family I know has a brother, sister or cousin who's gay. In the brotherhood of the NBA, I just happen to be the one who's out.

Sometimes we're not following the game plans. It's a collective effort. It's everybody and we have to do a better job of avoiding it.

He might be getting a little frustrated. I think any player that gets in foul trouble consistently might be a little frustrated. There's a number of reasons, but probably number one, he's not on the court as much as he wants to be. That all goes back to playing him tough on the offensive end and attacking.

We need to get our heads out of our (butts).