Jason Collins Of NBA Is The First Openly Gay Professional Athlete

Kwaku Alston/SI

In a story appearing in the May 6, 2013 issue of Sports Illustrated, Jason Collins of the National Basketball Association became the first professional male athlete to announce his homosexuality.



The 34-year-old center is a free agent and has played with the Celtics and Wizards this season.




"I didn't set out to be the first openly gay athlete playing in a major American