In a solemn moment for the sporting world, Jason Collins, the former NBA centre who became the first openly gay athlete in a major American men's professional sport, has died at the age of 47. The news, confirmed by his family early this morning, has sent ripples of grief across the Atlantic, with UK sport leading tributes to a man who courageously redefined the intersection of identity and athleticism.
Collins, who played for six NBA teams over 13 seasons, including the Brooklyn Nets and Boston Celtics, publicly came out in a 2013 Sports Illustrated cover story. At the time, he was a free agent, and his announcement was met with an outpouring of support from fellow players and figures like then-President Barack Obama. But it was not merely a personal milestone; it was a watershed moment for inclusion in a sport often perceived as conservative and hyper-masculine.
His death, from complications related to a heart condition, has prompted reflection on his legacy beyond the court. LeBron James, now with the Los Angeles Lakers, posted on social media: “You changed the game for so many. Rest in power, Jason.” Meanwhile, UK sporting bodies, including the Premier League and the Rugby Football Union, expressed their condolences. The FA noted that Collins’s bravery had inspired countless young athletes to be authentic, regardless of their sexual orientation.
But Collins’s impact extended far beyond his coming out. He was a fierce advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, founding the Jason Collins Foundation to support at-risk youth and promote equality in sports. In 2014, he received the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the ESPYs. His number 98 jersey, worn in tribute to Matthew Shepard, remains emblematic for many.
In the UK, where homophobia in sport has been a persistent issue, Collins’s legacy is particularly resonant. Footballer Josh Cavallo, who came out as gay in 2021, said: “Jason was a beacon. He showed us that we belong on the pitch, in the locker room, and in the stands.” The Stonewall charity, which campaigns for LGBTQ+ rights, described Collins as a “pioneer who used his platform to dismantle prejudice.”
Yet, as we mourn, we must also question what comes next. Collins’s final years saw subtle shifts: NBA players increasingly comfortable demonstrating allyship, and the WNBA’s openly queer culture becoming the norm. But the hard work remains. Data from the Pride in Sport study shows that 40% of LGBTQ+ athletes in the UK still conceal their identity. Collins would have wanted us to accelerate that change.
In an era of virtual signalling, Collins’s authenticity was a raw contrast. He didn’t just wear a rainbow lanyard; he lived his truth. As technology races ahead, let us not forget the human cost of silence. Collins once said: “I want to be judged by my character, not my identity.” Today, we honour him as a man who reset the dial for decency in sport. His name will echo in gymnasiums and boardrooms, a reminder that bravery is not in your game but in your heart.
