NBAs Jason Collins comes out as gay

.cnn_html_media_utility before color red content '>>' font size 9px line height 12px padding right 1px .cnnstrylccimg640 margin 0 27px 14px 0 .captionText filter alpha(opacity 100) opacity 1 .cnn_html_slideshow_media_caption a .cnn_html_slideshow_media_caption a visited .cnn_html_slideshow_media_caption a link .captionText a .captionText a visited .captiontext a link color 004276 outline medium none .cnnVerticalGalleryPhoto margin 0 auto padding right 68px width 270px > 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 NBA player Jason Collins said in a Sports Illustrated article. Take a look at other openly gay athletes. In an exclusive interview with CNN former San Francisco 49ers player Kwame Harris came out as gay after rumors circulated in the media. U.S. international soccer player Robbie Rogers formerly of the Columbus Crew announced that he was gay and retired in February. Gareth Thomas of Wales spoke about being gay to a British news channel in 2009. Justin Fashanu became the first openly gay soccer player in Europe when he came out in 1990. Eight years later he took his own life. Tennis great Martina Navratilova came out in 1981. After his retirement in 2007 basketball player John Amaechi announced he was gay. After retiring from professional football in 1972 David Kopay acknowledged to the Washington Star that he was gay. Villanova University's Will Sheridan came out to his teammates in 2003. In 2012 U.S. women's soccer player Megan Rapinoe confirmed in Out magazine that she was a lesbian. Champion figure skater Johnny Weir confirmed in his 2011 memoir Welcome to My World that he was gay. Australia's Matthew Mitcham came out in an interview with the Sydney Morning Herald in 2008. In 2012 Orlando Cruz became the first active professional fighter to publicly announce that he was gay. Editor's note A previously published photo in this space erroneously identified a different person as Orlando Cruz. CNN apologizes for the error. Openly gay British dressage rider Carl Hester helped his team win gold at the 2012 Olympics. Cricketer Steven Davies of Surrey in England announced he was gay in 2011. Germany's openly gay Judith Arndt won the silver medal in cycling at the 2012 Olympics. Billy Bean a former Major League Baseball player discussed being gay in a 1999 New York Times article. Editor's note A previously published photo in this space erroneously identified a different person as Billy Bean. CNN apologizes for the error. Tennis legend Billie Jean King was outed by a former female partner in 1981. In 2002 professional football player Esera Tuaolo came out on HBO's Real Sports. French tennis player Amelie Mauresmo came out in 1999. Greg Louganis who won four Olympic golds for the U.S. over his diving career has been openly gay since 1995. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21

(CNN) It's the biggest move of his career and it's off the court.

Jason Collins who played with the NBA's Boston Celtics and Washington Wizards this season has disclosed that he is gay. This makes him the first active openly gay male athlete in the four major American pro team sports. The center who said he is now a free agent literally and figuratively made the disclosure in a column appearing in the upcoming issue of Sports Illustrated.

Jason Collins has forever changed the face of sports said the Human Rights Campaign a civil rights group fighting for gay rights.

It likened the announcement to Jackie Robinson the first African American to play in major league baseball in the modern era.

Wizards Center is NBA's first openly gay player

At a time when millions are reflecting on the life and legacy of Jackie Robinson Jason Collins is a hero for our own times the group said.

Sexuality a 'non issue' for many clubs NBA player comes out of the closet

Collins is a 7 foot center who played with six NBA teams over the past 12 seasons. Along with the Wizards and Celtics they are the Minnesota Timberwolves New Jersey Nets Atlanta Hawks and Memphis Grizzlies. He has averaged 3.6 points and 3.8 rebounds in 713 career games and he has had a great deal of playoff experience with the Nets mostly and the Hawks.

NBA Commissioner David Stern said the 34 year old veteran is widely respected in the league.

We are proud he has assumed the leadership mantle on this very important issue he said in a statement.

Washington Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld said the team is extremely proud of Jason and support his decision to live his life proudly and openly.

Collins paves way for gay athletes

He has been a leader on and off the court and an outstanding teammate throughout his NBA career. Those qualities will continue to serve him both as a player and as a positive role model for others of all sexual orientation.

Collins played his college ball at Stanford University. Chelsea Clinton the daughter of former President Bill Clinton and a Stanford alumna wrote on Twitter that she is very proud of my friend Jason Collins for having the strength courage to be the first openly gay player in the NBA.

Bill Clinton called the announcement an important moment for professional sports and in the history of the LGBT community.

Clintons welcome announcement from friend Jason Collins

Collins who had been traded by the Celtics to the Wizards this season wrote in his essay that U.S. Rep. Joe Kennedy D Massachusetts helped prompt his decision to come out as gay. Kennedy and Collins were roommates at Stanford. He recounts hearing about Kennedy who is not gay marching in Boston's Gay Pride Parade.

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 Kennedy said. I'm proud to stand with him today and proud to call him a friend.

President Barack Obama a big basketball fan hadn't yet weighed in but White House spokesman Jay Carney said I can certainly tell you that here at the White House we view that as another example of the progress that has been made and the evolution that has been taking place in this country and commend him for his courage and support him.

Active players posted their approval on Twitter. The Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant said Proud of jasoncollins34. Don't suffocate who u r because of the ignorance of others. Steve Nash also a Laker said The time has come. Maximum respect.

Twitter reacts to the revelation

Collins' twin brother Jarron who also played in the NBA were teammates at Stanford. Jarron tweeted about Jason Very proud of you.

A few athletes have come out as gay after they've left professional sports. One is John Amaechi a former NBA player.

Amaechi told CNN he hopes Collins will be a catalyst for a wider acceptance of openly gay athletes saying he believes Collins is better equipped than anyone who came before him to handle the attention that will come his way. But it may take more Amaechi said.

People like to believe one iconic figure can change things he said but the reality is that when there's this tipping point or enough people coming together deciding that change is necessary that's when change happens.

The Women's National Basketball Association has had its share of milestones and openness as far as gays are concerned. In 2005 Sheryl Swoopes a top player in the WNBA the women's pro league announced she was gay.

Brittney Griner the No. 1 pick in this year's WNBA draft recently said in an interview with Sports Illustrated that she is gay. Griner finished her college career as the NCAA's all time leading shot blocker with 748 and as the No. 2 all time scorer with 3 283 points.

Opinion Openly gay player is not a distraction

CNN's Jason Hanna and Jill Martin contributed to this report.

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