Twitter reacts to Wizards Jason Collins: first openly gay athlete

With Jason Collins, this morning becomes a “where were you when heard the news” moment. We have the first ever openly gay athlete from one of the four major sports leagues: NBA, NHL, MLB, NFL. Let the Jackie Robinson analogies to Jason Collins begin. The Jackie Robinson analogy does work on some levels, it’s flawed in other ways. But we can get to that later.

Jason Collins is the first openly gay jock who will play, and go to the locker room with his homosexual orientation public knowledge. Expect a HUGE media crush tonight when the Chicago Bulls take on the Brooklyn Nets in the NBA playoffs tonight.

In Jason Collins most recent game on April 17th, for the Washington Wizards versus the Chicago Bulls, Collins scored 2 points and had 3 rebounds in 17 minutes.

This story appears in the May 6, 2013, issue of Sports Illustrated.

“I’m a 34-year-old NBA center. I’m black. And I’m gay.”

Jason Collins was drafted out of Stanford, 18th overall by the Houston Rockets in 2001. He spent this past season with the Boston Celtics and Washington, averaging 1.1 ppg and 1.6 rpg. He’s also played for Memphis Grizzlies, Atlanta Hawks and Minnesota Timberwolves, but he’s best known for his 7 seasons with the New Jersey Nets.

Here’s some Twitter reaction to Jason Collins.

Bill Clinton Praises NBA’s Jason Collins For Coming Out livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/bill-cli… via @igorbobic

— TPM Livewire (@TPMLiveWire) 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

Courageous. Bravo @jasoncollins34 RT @sinow: “I’m a 34-year-old NBA center. I’m black. And I’m gay,”–Jason Collins bit.ly/12J9el5” — Andy Katz (@ESPNAndyKatz) April 29, 2013

My biggest question right now is if First Take will turn Jason Collins into a debate topic.

— Jake McCormick (@Jake_BrewHoop) April 29, 2013

RT @mlevenson: .@repjoekennedy praises Jason Collins’ “passion for the sport he loves, his unwavering integrity, and the biggest heart…

— The Boston Globe (@BostonGlobe) April 29, 2013

Paul M. Banks is the owner of The Sports Bank.net, an author and regular contributor to MSN, Fox Sports , Chicago Now, and Walter Football. Banks has appeared on Comcast SportsNet and the History Channel, as well as Clear Channel, ESPN and CBS radio all over the world. President Barack Obama follows him on Twitter (@PaulMBanks)

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