The community is mourning the loss of Jason Collins, the pioneering NBA center who died Tuesday at age 47 following a valiant battle with Stage 4 glioblastoma.
A California native, Collins made history in 2013 when he became the first active male athlete in a major American professional team sport to come out as gay, sharing his truth in a landmark Sports Illustrated op-ed.
The following year, he broke further barriers by taking the court for the Brooklyn Nets, where he wore jersey number 98 in a moving tribute to Matthew Shepard.
Over a 13-season career, Collins became a symbol of authenticity, later remarking that his life was “exponentially better” after coming out.
Following his 2014 retirement, he remained a powerful advocate for the LGBTQ+ community and married his husband, Brunson Green, in May 2025.
After announcing his terminal diagnosis in late 2025, Collins passed away surrounded by the love of his family, leaving behind a legacy of courage that forever changed the landscape of professional sports.
RIP.
