The British sports community is mourning the loss of Jason Collins, the former NBA centre who became the first openly gay active player in American professional sports. Collins died at the age of 47, his family confirmed on Tuesday. The cause of death has not been disclosed, but tributes have poured in from across the Atlantic, celebrating his courage as a catalyst for change in sport.
Collins, who played for six NBA teams over 13 seasons, came out in a Sports Illustrated cover story in April 2013. His announcement sent ripples through a league known for its hypermasculine culture. At the time, no active male player in any major US professional league had publicly identified as gay. Collins’ decision to come out while still playing elevated him from a journeyman centre to a symbol of resilience. In Britain, where homophobia in sport remains a persistent issue, his legacy has been described as 'transformative' by leading equality campaigners.
'Jason Collins showed that you can be your true self and still compete at the highest level. That is a lesson that resonates far beyond the hardwood,' said a spokesperson for Stonewall, the UK’s leading LGBTQ+ charity. 'His bravery inspired countless young athletes in Britain who feared that their sexuality would bar them from pursuing their dreams.'
Collins’ career statistics were modest averaging 3.6 points and 3.7 rebounds per game. But his impact off the court was seismic. Following his announcement, he signed a 10-day contract with the Brooklyn Nets in February 2014, becoming the first openly gay man to play in an NBA game. He wore number 98 in homage to Matthew Shepard, the gay student murdered in 1998. That act of symbolism was not lost on British fans, many of whom followed his journey from across the ocean.
A study by the University of Winchester found that 38 per cent of young LGBTQ+ people in the UK still avoid playing sport due to fear of discrimination. Sports journalist and equality advocate Amal Fashanu, niece of the late footballer Justin Fashanu, called Collins a 'pioneer for the global game'. Justin Fashanu was the first professional footballer to come out as gay in 1990. He took his own life eight years later. 'Jason stood on the shoulders of giants like my uncle, but he also built new foundations,' Fashanu said. 'He understood that visibility is not a gimmick it is a lifeline.'
British basketball, though a minority sport in the shadow of football, has its own struggles with inclusion. The British Basketball League has seen only a handful of players come out during or after their careers. Collins’ openness provided a template. 'He proved that you do not have to be a superstar to make a difference,' said former GB international Drew Sullivan. 'He used his platform, however modest, to push for change. That is the mark of a true leader.'
Collins’ death comes at a time when the fight for LGBTQ+ inclusion in sport has seen both progress and backlash. In the UK, a 2021 survey by the LGBT Sport Foundation found that 51 per cent of queer respondents had experienced some form of discrimination in sporting settings. Football, rugby and cricket still grapple with a culture of silence. Collins’ legacy, say campaigners, is a reminder that the work is far from over.
'He gave hope to the scared kid in the stands who thought they had to choose between their identity and their passion,' said a statement from the UK’s Rainbow Sports Pride group. 'We will carry that torch forward.'
Collins is survived by his twin brother, Jarron, also a former NBA player. The family has requested privacy as they mourn. In the coming days, memorials are expected at NBA arenas across the United States, while British fans are planning candlelit vigils in London and Manchester. For a player who never suited up for a UK team, the love from this side of the Atlantic speaks volumes.
'He was not just an American athlete,' said Fashanu. 'He was a global citizen who used his voice for good. That is a legacy that will never fade.'
