Jason Collins remembered as trailblazer, beloved friend at 47

TL;DR

Jason Collins, the NBA's first openly gay player, passed away at 47 after battling stage 4 glioblastoma. He was a trailblazer for LGBTQ+ representation in sports and is remembered fondly by friends and fans.

Key points

Jason Collins died at 47 after battling glioblastoma
He was the first openly gay player in the NBA
Collins came out publicly in April 2013
He played for six NBA franchises during his career
Tributes to Collins came from across the sports community

Mentioned in this story

Jason CollinsBrunson GreenJarron Collins

Jason Collins remembered as trailblazer, beloved friend at 47

Jason Collings, the NBA’s first openly gay player, died May 12 after an eight-month battle with stage 4 glioblastoma. He was 47.

Collins made history in April 2013 when he came out publicly in a Sports Illustrated essay, becoming the first openly gay active athlete in any of the four major North American professional sports leagues. The 13-year NBA veteran played for six franchises and later became an NBA Cares Ambassador.

Survived by his husband, Brunson Green, his parents, his twin brother Jarron, tributes to Collins poured in from basketball and beyond.

That included the Human Rights Campaign.

"To call Jason Collins a groundbreaking figure for our community is simply inadequate. We truly lost a giant today," said HRC president Kelley Robinson. "He came out as gay -- while still playing -- at a time when men's athletes simply did not do that. But as he powerfully demonstrated in his final years in the league and his pot-NBA career, stepping forward as he did boldly changed th conversation. He was and will always be a legend for the LGBTQ+ community, and we are heartbroken to hear of his passing at the young age of 47. Out hearts go out to his family and loved ones. We will keep fighting on in his honor until the day everyone can be who they are on their terms."

NBA commissioner Adam Silver was among the first to pay tribute, praising Collins for his impact both on and off the court.

Collins was drafted 18th overall in the 2001 NBA Draft by the Houston Rockets, but immediate traded to the Nets, who remembered him on May 12.

Collins played just part of the 2012-13 season with the Boston Celtics, but they were the first team to pay tribute to him.

Q&A

What caused Jason Collins' death?

Jason Collins died from stage 4 glioblastoma after an eight-month battle with the disease.

When did Jason Collins come out as openly gay?

Jason Collins publicly came out as openly gay in April 2013 through a Sports Illustrated essay.

How did Jason Collins impact the sports community?

As the first openly gay active athlete in the four major North American professional sports leagues, Collins paved the way for greater LGBTQ+ representation in sports.

Who survived Jason Collins after his passing?

Jason Collins is survived by his husband, Brunson Green, his parents, and his twin brother, Jarron.