Kennedy Inspires First Openly Gay NBA Player's Coming Out

NBA center Jason Collins announced Monday he is gay, making him the first active professional male athlete in a major American sport to reveal he is a homosexual. The former Boston Celtic wrote about his decision in a Sports Illustrated article that went online Monday, and will appear in the May 6 print edition of the magazine.

Collins, 34, wrote he decided to come out after U.S. Rep. Joe Kennedy III, whose district includes Needham, told him he had marched last year in Boston's Gay Pride Parade. Kennedy was Collins' roomate at Stanford University.

Collins wrote:

I'm seldom jealous of others, but hearing what Joe had done filled me with envy. I was proud of him for participating but angry that as a closeted gay man I couldn't even cheer my straight friend on as a spectator. If I'd been questioned, I would have concocted half truths. What a shame to have to lie at a celebration of pride. I want to do the right thing and not hide anymore. I want to march for tolerance, acceptance and understanding. I want to take a stand and say, "Me, too."

Kennedy released a statement about Collins Monday:

For as long as I've known Jason Collins he has been defined by three things: his passion for the sport he loves, his unwavering integrity, and the biggest heart you will ever find. Without question or hesitation, he gives everything he's got to those of us lucky enough to be in his life. I'm proud to stand with him today and proud to call him a friend.

Collins has played 12 seasons in the NBA, finishing this season with the Washington Wizards, a team that is no longer playing because it did not reach the postseason. He is a free agent. Collins played with the Celtics in 2011-12 and a portion of this season before being traded to the Wizards.