Jason Collins, NBA's first openly gay player, dies aged 47 after battle with brain cancer
His family confirmed the death on Tuesday, noting he had previously travelled to Singapore for experimental treatments before the cancer returned.
Jason Collins, the National Basketball Association's first openly gay player and a prominent global ambassador for the sport, has died at the age of 47. His family confirmed the death on Tuesday, stating that he passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by loved ones after a valiant fight with stage 4 glioblastoma.
Collins was diagnosed with the aggressive form of brain cancer in November. He subsequently travelled to Singapore to receive experimental treatments that were not yet authorised in the United States. The medical intervention was effective enough to allow him to return home, attend NBA All-Star Weekend events in Los Angeles, and play in a game at his alma mater, Stanford, before the cancer recently recurred.
In a statement released by the NBA, Collins' family expressed their heartbreak, describing him as a beloved husband, son, brother and uncle who changed lives in unexpected ways. They noted that he was an inspiration to all who knew him and expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support and the exceptional medical care he received from his doctors and nurses over the past eight months.
Collins is survived by his husband, Brunson Green, and his parents, Portia and Paul Collins, as well as his brother, Jarron Collins. He had retired from professional basketball in 2014 following a 13-year career that included stints with the New Jersey Nets, Memphis, Minnesota, Atlanta, Boston, Washington and the Brooklyn Nets.
His historic announcement that he was gay came in a 2013 Sports Illustrated cover story, making him the first publicly gay athlete to play in any of the four main North American professional sports leagues. Following his coming out, Collins received calls from Oprah Winfrey and President Barack Obama, with the former US leader noting that his actions would have a positive impact on someone he might never meet in his lifetime.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver released a statement praising Collins' impact on making the sport more inclusive and welcoming for future generations. Silver highlighted Collins' outstanding leadership and professionalism throughout his career and his dedicated work as an NBA Cares Ambassador, stating that he will be remembered for breaking barriers as well as the kindness and humanity that defined his life.
