What They're Saying About Jason Collins
Support, Cheers, Respect, and a Bit of Trash Talk "If you have learned anything from Jackie Robinson, it is that teammates are always the first to accept. It will be society who has to learn tolerance." - Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers.
Support, Cheers, Respect, and a Bit of Trash Talk
"If you have learned anything from Jackie Robinson, it is that teammates are always the first to accept. It will be society who has to learn tolerance." - Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers.
"Jason has been a widely respected player and teammate throughout his career and we are proud he has assumed the leadership mantle on this very important issue." - NBA commissioner David Stern.
"Hopefully he can pave the way for other gay men in sports to be able to live free. I really do feel like it's all coming together now, the dominos are starting to fall in a positive direction in all aspects of the LGBTQ community and it's such an exciting time." - U.S. women's soccer player Megan Rapinoe, who came out just before the 2012 London Olympics.
"I only want one thing out of my teammate: a commitment to winning. Whether he is straight, gay, black, white, from Earth, or from Mars is immaterial. Just help us win." - Miami Heat forward Shane Battier.
"I think he is immensely brave. I think it's a shame in this day and age he has to be immensely brave, but he is." - Former NBA player John Amaechi, who came out as gay in 2007.
"I will always support people for being who they are. Happy for [Collins] that he can lead an honest life." - Cleveland Indians outfielder Nick Swisher.
"I don't think he'll be received any differently. There shouldn't be any reason you would view him differently." - Milwaukee Bucks guard J.J. Redick.
"Jason represented everything that we look for as a member of the Atlanta Hawks and we are proud he wore our jersey." - Atlanta Hawks managing partner Bruce Levinson.
"I'm sure there were, who cares though?" - former NFL wide receiver Chad Johnson, asked if he ever had a gay teammate.
"Jason is one of the best teammates that I've ever had. He was a great presence in the locker room and an even better person." - Atlanta Hawks forward-center Zaza Pachulia.
"I was surprised. I didn't know and I was right next to him in the locker room." - Wizards guard Garrett Temple.
"The time has come. Maximum respect." - Lakers guard Steve Nash.
"Still going to whoop you on the golf course." - Former NBA guard Nick Van Exel, in a tweet to Collins.
"Basketball does not define Jason Collins. His decision to come out publicly doesn't define Jason Collins. What defines Jason, is he is a first-rate human being who made a huge contribution to [Stanford], and every team or community he has been a part of." - Former NBA player and Stanford assistant coach Mark Madsen, a college teammate of Collins'.
"I've got gay friends, gay people who work for me. It's not like anything out of the norm." - Lakers forward Metta World Peace.
"Jason Collins showed a lot of courage today and I respect him for taking a stand and choosing to live in his truth." - Heat guard Dwyane Wade.