Bigflamie:

K

You mean you have to quote the whole post just to write k?
You must be high

d guy is active indeed.... He's never won a championship, never been in All star and never been a regular starter.... He has nothing to lose, He was traded to Washington Wizards earlier in d season and was released @ d end of the regular season. The guy has been receiving supports frm almost every NBA players bt i bet no one would wanna av a team-mate that could yansh him.... His career is absolutely over... Let Chris Bosh or Lebron James try it and see d repercussion..

Sky-walker:


You mean you have to quote the whole post just to write ok?
You must be high

to hell with all dis thrash in america where people are mad

Nice one. You'll be surprised to know how many more are so. I really love his courage....and he's so fine too!

Bigflamie:

K

Wtf is wrong with you man?

Do you need quote the whole damn thing just to write ok?

No one cares, but since you brought it to everyone's attention, you are fair game for everyone's opinion. Don't expect everyone to condone your being gay. Just as you want to be accepted for being gay, I have a right to say I disagree with the lifestyle.

His life, his choice, not my business. Next pls

slimyem: You must be veeeery stup1d or prolly an eediot!!

Do I have to reply you on this? I guess the answer is NO cos I don't need one that would spoil my day, you Sadist.

isale_gan2:
There are many gay athletes, at least here in American. They just won't admit it.

I can never understand why people live a life that they're ashamed of. What a way to live! On the other hand, if you do your job and don't discuss your personal life, I can respect that - better than the ones that are so paranoid and fake, like , they have to parade a different woman out on the beach every summer to prove to the world how studly they are. *rolleyes*

I know tons of them are on the DL... Chris Bosh of Miami Heat is definitely gay!!

However, allowing openly homoerotic people and their lifestyle in sports(esp. male sports) would negate the essence of the competitiveness and machismo of the profession...

They need to create a different league for them and tell them to take their faggotry there IMO...

obadiah777: ABSOLUTE BOLLOCKS. THE FIRST OPENLY GAY NBA PLAYER WAS JOHN AMEACHI. ISALE WASSAPENINNNNNNN

He's the first active openly gay player... Amaechi retired before coming out of the closet...

Anyway, Amaechi has been all over the media supporting his brother..

Fadelex: d guy is active indeed.... He's never won a championship, never been in All star and never been a regular starter.... He has nothing to lose, He was traded to Washington Wizards earlier in d season and was released @ d end of the regular season. The guy has been receiving supports frm almost every NBA players bt i bet no one would wanna av a team-mate that could yansh him.... His career is absolutely over... Let Chris Bosh or Lebron James try it and see d repercussion..

Yes active, He was with the Wizards till the end of this 2013 season and now an unrestricted free agent. He hasn’t retired yet and I believe He’ll get a club.

On your All Star point, 80% of the league will never be selected as an all star in their career but will/can have a decent and excellent career ( The best players are repeatedly selected thorough their careers while only 3-5 additions every year, an average NBA career is 6 years, e.g. Kobe has been selected 15 times, ,Carmelo, Bosh, Lebron, Duncan and co have all been selected over 8 times.).
Also, 75% of the league doesn’t start. A team has 15 players and only five of them start, do the maths.

You can’t judge a basketball prowess of a player on Starting, All Star appearance and Championship won.

Charles Barkley never won a championship.

Jason Collins has had a near decent career, as for His sexuality of being gay, it is ungodly and sodomy. I pray He finds the truth.

shymexx:

He's the first active openly gay play... Amaechi retired before coming out of the closet...

Anyway, Amaechi has been all over the media supporting his brother..

I DONT EVEN WATCH TV LIKE THAT SO I AINT KNOW AMAECHI WAS SUPPORTING HIS BROTHER LOL. BUT YOU ARE RIGHT. SEE I MISSED OUT THE PART OF THE STORY THAT SAYS 'ACTIVE'. WELL DUDE CAN KISS HIS CAREER GOOD BYE NOW. ALTHOUGH HE WAS AT THE END OF HIS CAREER ANYWAY. SMART GUY. WAITED TILL HE WAS ALMOST GOING EXTINCT BEFORE EXPLODING WITH THAT NEWS. MAYBE HE WILL GET A REALITY TV NOW. HE ALBOUT THE CHEDDAR

Chai!! Another victim... I see you, Mr Satan. Go on with your life Destroying mission.

Texas.Cowgirl:
Awwwwww mehn. So ladies have to compete with gay men too?

Why the hell would we have to compete with gay men?

The men that want him don't want me. And I certainly don't want them! Ewo! Taboo of the highest order!

Whatsawrong with you, Ileke?

ItsModella: ain't nobody reading all that sh*t up there.

S'okay, bud. I didn't read it neither.

Blah Blah Blah Some gay sh*t Blah Blah bootie aches Blah Blah molested Blah Blah. Bleechh!

obadiah777: I DONT EVEN WATCH TV LIKE THAT SO I AINT KNOW AMAECHI WAS SUPPORTING HIS BROTHER LOL. BUT YOU ARE RIGHT. SEE I MISSED OUT THE PART OF THE STORY THAT SAYS 'ACTIVE'. WELL DUDE CAN KISS HIS CAREER GOOD BYE NOW. ALTHOUGH HE WAS AT THE END OF HIS CAREER ANYWAY. SMART GUY. WAITED TILL HE WAS ALMOST GOING EXTINCT BEFORE EXPLODING WITH THAT NEWS. MAYBE HE WILL GET A REALITY TV NOW. HE ALBOUT THE CHEDDAR

Ol'faggit just got released by the Wizards... the team is trying to build a young and strong team around John Wall He knows no one will pick him up, hence his decision to make some paper by milking LGBT and the publicity that'll come with his decision

You know Amaechi gets super excited about anything that has to do with homoeroticism..

shymexx:

Ol'faggit just got released by the Wizards... the team is trying to build a young and strong team around John Wall He knows no one will pick him up, hence his decision to make some paper by milking LGBT and the publicity that'll come with his decision

You know Amaechi gets super excited about anything that has to do with homoeroticism..

YEAH THEY WOULD LOVE HIM IN EUROPE. MAYBE HE CAN JOIN THE GREEK LEAGUE. A BUNCH OF LIGHT IN THE SNEAKER, SKIPPING, FAIRIES

I think this is more of a business decision....on another note, more power to him.

Now let be sincere to our self, what's the use been a gay? When no one will ever wants to have 2 left legs. So what's do this Hell sent demons gain in this abnormal act.

masonkz: Nice one. You'll be surprised to know how many more are so. I really love his courage....and he's so fine too!

Masonkz (m),
You can be the first Nairalander to come out. We're all here for you.

obadiah777: ABSOLUTE BOLLOCKS. THE FIRST OPENLY GAY NBA PLAYER WAS JOHN AMEACHI. ISALE WASSAPENINNNNNNN

Hiya Buzugee, my bro, my friend, me old pal.

isale_gan2: [size=14pt]Why NBA center Jason Collins is coming out now[/size]
sports Illustrated

I didn't set out to be the first openly gay athlete playing in a major American team sport. But since I am, I'm happy to start the conversation. I wish I wasn't the kid in the classroom raising his hand and saying, "I'm different." If I had my way, someone else would have already done this. Nobody has, which is why I'm raising my hand.

My journey of self-discovery and self-acknowledgement began in my hometown of Los Angeles and has taken me through two state high school championships, the NCAA Final Four and the Elite Eight, and nine playoffs in 12 NBA seasons.

I've played for six pro teams and have appeared in two NBA Finals. Ever heard of a parlor game called Three Degrees of Jason Collins? If you're in the league, and I haven't been your teammate, I surely have been one of your teammates' teammates. Or one of your teammates' teammates' teammates.

Now I'm a free agent, literally and figuratively. I've reached that enviable state in life in which I can do pretty much what I want. And what I want is to continue to play basketball. I still love the game, and I still have something to offer. My coaches and teammates recognize that. At the same time, I want to be genuine and authentic and truthful.

Why am I coming out now? Well, I started thinking about this in 2011 during the NBA player lockout. I'm a creature of routine. When the regular season ends I immediately dedicate myself to getting game ready for the opener of the next campaign in the fall. But the lockout wreaked havoc on my habits and forced me to confront who I really am and what I really want. With the season delayed, I trained and worked out. But I lacked the distraction that basketball had always provided.

The first relative I came out to was my aunt Teri, a superior court judge in San Francisco. Her reaction surprised me. "I've known you were gay for years," she said. From that moment on I was comfortable in my own skin. In her presence I ignored my censor button for the first time. She gave me support. The relief I felt was a sweet release. Imagine you're in the oven, baking. Some of us know and accept our sexuality right away and some need more time to cook. I should know -- I baked for 33 years.

When I was younger I dated women. I even got engaged. I thought I had to live a certain way. I thought I needed to marry a woman and raise kids with her. I kept telling myself the sky was red, but I always knew it was blue.

I realized I needed to go public when Joe Kennedy, my old roommate at Stanford and now a Massachusetts congressman, told me he had just marched in Boston's 2012 Gay Pride Parade. I'm seldom jealous of others, but hearing what Joe had done filled me with envy. I was proud of him for participating but angry that as a closeted gay man I couldn't even cheer my straight friend on as a spectator. If I'd been questioned, I would have concocted half truths. What a shame to have to lie at a celebration of pride. I want to do the right thing and not hide anymore. I want to march for tolerance, acceptance and understanding. I want to take a stand and say, "Me, too."

***
Imagine you're in the oven, baking. Some of us know and accept our sexuality right away and some need more time to cook. I should know - I baked for 33 years.


The recent Boston Marathon bombing reinforced the notion that I shouldn't wait for the circumstances of my coming out to be perfect. Things can change in an instant, so why not live truthfully? When I told Joe a few weeks ago that I was gay, he was grateful that I trusted him. He asked me to join him in 2013. We'll be marching on June 8.

No one wants to live in fear. I've always been scared of saying the wrong thing. I don't sleep well. I never have. But each time I tell another person, I feel stronger and sleep a little more soundly. It takes an enormous amount of energy to guard such a big secret. I've endured years of misery and gone to enormous lengths to live a lie. I was certain that my world would fall apart if anyone knew. And yet when I acknowledged my sexuality I felt whole for the first time. I still had the same sense of humor, I still had the same mannerisms and my friends still had my back.

Believe it or not, my family has had bigger shocks. Strange as it seems today, my parents expected only one child in 1978. Me. When I came out (for the first time) the doctors congratulated my mother on her healthy, seven-pound, one-ounce baby boy. "Wait!" said a nurse. "Here comes another one!" The other one, who arrived eight minutes later and three ounces heavier, was Jarron. He's followed me ever since, to Stanford and to the NBA, and as the ever-so-slightly older brother I've looked out for him.

I had a happy childhood in the suburbs of L.A. My parents instilled in us an appreciation of history, art and, most important, Motown. Jarron and I weren't allowed to listen to rap until we were 12. After our birthday I dashed to Target and bought DJ Quik's album Quik Is the Name. I memorized every line. It was around this time that I began noticing subtle differences between Jarron and me. Our twinness was no longer synchronized. I couldn't identify with his attraction to girls.

I feel blessed that I recognized my own attractions. Though I resisted my impulses through high school, I knew that when I was ready I had someone to turn to: my uncle Mark in New York. I knew we could talk without judgment, and we did last summer. Uncle Mark is gay. He and his partner have been in a stable relationship forever. For a confused young boy, I can think of no better role model of love and compassion.


Jason Collins played with the Celtics and
Wizards this season, his 12th in the NBA.

I didn't come out to my brother until last summer. His reaction to my breakfast revelation was radically different from Aunt Teri's. He was downright astounded. He never suspected. So much for twin telepathy. But by dinner that night, he was full of brotherly love. For the first time in our lives, he wanted to step in and protect me.

My maternal grandmother was apprehensive about my plans to come out. She grew up in rural Louisiana and witnessed the horrors of segregation. During the civil rights movement she saw great bravery play out amid the ugliest aspects of humanity. She worries that I am opening myself up to prejudice and hatred. I explained to her that in a way, my coming out is preemptive. I shouldn't have to live under the threat of being outed. The announcement should be mine to make, not TMZ's.

The hardest part of this is the realization that my entire family will be affected. But my relatives have told me repeatedly that as long as I'm happy, they're there for me. I watch as my brother and friends from college start their own families. Changing diapers is a lot of work, but children bring so much joy. I'm crazy about my nieces and nephew, and I can't wait to start a family of my own.

I'm from a close-knit family. My parents instilled Christian values in me. They taught Sunday school, and I enjoyed lending a hand. I take the teachings of Jesus seriously, particularly the ones that touch on tolerance and understanding. On family trips, my parents made a point to expose us to new things, religious and cultural. In Utah, we visited the Mormon Salt Lake Temple. In Atlanta, the house of Martin Luther King Jr. That early exposure to otherness made me the guy who accepts everyone unconditionally.

I'm learning to embrace the puzzle that is me. After I was traded by the Celtics to Washington in February, I took a detour to the Dr. King memorial. I was inspired and humbled. I celebrate being an African-American and the hardships of the past that still resonate today. But I don't let my race define me any more than I want my sexual orientation to. I don't want to be labeled, and I can't let someone else's label define me.

On the court I graciously accept one label sometimes bestowed on me: "the pro's pro." I got that handle because of my fearlessness and my commitment to my teammates. I take charges and I foul -- that's been my forte. In fact, during the 2004-05 season my 322 personals led the NBA. I enter the court knowing I have six hard fouls to give. I set picks with my 7-foot, 255-pound body to get guys like Jason Kidd, John Wall and Paul Pierce open. I sacrifice myself for other players. I look out for teammates as I would my kid brother.
I go against the gay stereotype, which is why I think a lot of players will be shocked: That guy is gay?

I'm not afraid to take on any opponent. I love playing against the best. Though Shaquille O'Neal is a Hall of Famer, I never shirked from the challenge of trying to frustrate the heck out of him. (Note to Shaq: My flopping has nothing to do with being gay.) My mouthpiece is in, and my wrists are taped. Go ahead, take a swing -- I'll get up. I hate to say it, and I'm not proud of it, but I once fouled a player so hard that he had to leave the arena on a stretcher.

I go against the gay stereotype, which is why I think a lot of players will be shocked: That guy is gay? But I've always been an aggressive player, even in high school. Am I so physical to prove that being gay doesn't make you soft? Who knows? That's something for a psychologist to unravel. My motivations, like my contributions, don't show up in box scores, and frankly I don't care about stats. Winning is what counts. I want to be evaluated as a team player.

Loyalty to my team is the real reason I didn't come out sooner. When I signed a free-agent contract with Boston last July, I decided to commit myself to the Celtics and not let my personal life become a distraction. When I was traded to the Wizards, the political significance of coming out sunk in. I was ready to open up to the press, but I had to wait until the season was over.

A college classmate tried to persuade me to come out then and there. But I couldn't yet. My one small gesture of solidarity was to wear jersey number 98 with the Celtics and then the Wizards. The number has great significance to the gay community. One of the most notorious antigay hate crimes occurred in 1998. Matthew Shepard, a University of Wyoming student, was kidnapped, tortured and lashed to a prairie fence. He died five days after he was finally found. That same year the Trevor Project was founded. This amazing organization provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention to kids struggling with their sexual identity. Trust me, I know that struggle. I've struggled with some insane logic. When I put on my jersey I was making a statement to myself, my family and my friends.

The strain of hiding my sexuality became almost unbearable in March, when the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments for and against same-sex marriage. Less then three miles from my apartment, nine jurists argued about my happiness and my future. Here was my chance to be heard, and I couldn't say a thing. I didn't want to answer questions and draw attention to myself. Not while I was still playing.

I'm glad I'm coming out in 2013 rather than 2003. The climate has shifted; public opinion has shifted. And yet we still have so much farther to go. Everyone is terrified of the unknown, but most of us don't want to return to a time when minorities were openly discriminated against. I'm impressed with the straight pro athletes who have spoken up so far -- Chris Kluwe, Brendon Ayanbadejo. The more people who speak out, the better, gay or straight. It starts with President Obama's mentioning the 1969 Stonewall riots, which launched the gay rights movement, during his second inaugural address. And it extends to the grade-school teacher who encourages her students to accept the things that make us different.

***

By its nature, my double life has kept me from getting close to any of my teammates. Early in my career I worked hard at acting straight, but as I got more comfortable in my straight mask it required less effort. In recent days, though, little has separated "mask on, mask off." Personally, I don't like to dwell in someone else's private life, and I hope players and coaches show me the same respect. When I'm with my team I'm all about working hard and winning games. A good teammate supports you no matter what.

I've been asked how other players will respond to my announcement. The simple answer is, I have no idea. I'm a pragmatist. I hope for the best, but plan for the worst. The biggest concern seems to be that gay players will behave unprofessionally in the locker room. Believe me, I've taken plenty of showers in 12 seasons. My behavior wasn't an issue before, and it won't be one now. My conduct won't change. I still abide by the adage, "What happens in the locker room stays in the locker room." I'm still a model of discretion.

As I write this, I haven't come out to anyone in the NBA. I'm not privy to what other players say about me. Maybe Mike Miller, my old teammate in Memphis, will recall the time I dropped by his house in Florida and say, "I enjoyed being his teammate, and I sold him a dog." I hope players swap stories like that. Maybe they'll talk about my character and what kind of person I am.

As far as the reaction of fans, I don't mind if they heckle me. I've been booed before. There have been times when I've wanted to boo myself. But a lot of ill feelings can be cured by winning.

I'm a veteran, and I've earned the right to be heard. I'll lead by example and show that gay players are no different from straight ones. I'm not the loudest person in the room, but I'll speak up when something isn't right. And try to make everyone laugh.

I've never sought the spotlight. Though I'm coming out to the world, I intend to guard my privacy. I'm making this blanket statement in part to keep rumors and misunderstandings at bay. I hope fans will respect me for raising my hand. And I hope teammates will remember that I've never been an in-your-face kind of guy. All you need to know is that I'm single. I see no need to delve into specifics.
I've been asked how other players will respond to my announcement. The simple answer is, I have no idea. I'm a pragmatist. I hope for the best, but plan for the worst.


Look at what happened in the military when the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy was repealed. Critics of the repeal were sure that out military members would devastate morale and destroy civilization. But a new study conducted by scholars from every branch of the armed forces except the Coast Guard concluded that "cohesion did not decline after the new policy of open service was put into place. In fact, greater openness and honesty resulting from repeal seem to have promoted increased understanding, respect and acceptance."

The same goes for sports. Doc Rivers, my coach on the Celtics, says, "If you want to go quickly, go by yourself -- if you want to go farther, go in a group." I want people to pull together and push ahead.

Openness may not completely disarm prejudice, but it's a good place to start. It all comes down to education. I'll sit down with any player who's uneasy about my coming out. Being gay is not a choice. This is the tough road and at times the lonely road. Former players like Tim Hardaway, who said "I hate gay people" (and then became a supporter of gay rights), fuel homophobia. Tim is an adult. He's entitled to his opinion. God bless America. Still, if I'm up against an intolerant player, I'll set a pretty hard pick on him. And then move on.

The most you can do is stand up for what you believe in. I'm much happier since coming out to my friends and family. Being genuine and honest makes me happy.

I'm glad I can stop hiding and refocus on my 13th NBA season. I've been running through the Santa Monica Mountains in a 30-pound vest with Shadow, the German shepherd I got from Mike Miller. In the pros, the older you get, the better shape you must be in. Next season a few more eyeballs are likely to be on me. That only motivates me to work harder.

Some people insist they've never met a gay person. But Three Degrees of Jason Collins dictates that no NBA player can claim that anymore. Pro basketball is a family. And pretty much every family I know has a brother, sister or cousin who's gay. In the brotherhood of the NBA, I just happen to be the one who's out.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/magazine/news/20130429/jason-collins-gay-nba-player/

1. It's a shame living a lie
2. It's a shame people won't understand him
3. It's a shame his career might be over
4. If you have know discrimination, prejudice, condemnation, you'll feel for this guy
5. There are many more in active sports, even in Nigeria, even outside of sports...
6. If you understand what makes a man gay or how he came to be gay...then you can make peace with him...otherwise you'll just pull your hairs out for nothing.

Best of luck bro!

guys, i am Gay too.hope y'all will support me. Seun and his cyber cops take note. sincerenigerian, don't know if u feel the way i feel about you, let me in on it pls.

Jamesqu:

1. It's a shame living a lie
2. It's a shame people won't understand him
3. It's a shame his career might be over
4. If you have know discrimination, prejudice, condemnation, you'll feel for this guy
5. There are many more in active sports, even in Nigeria, even outside of sports...
6. If you understand what makes a man gay or how he came to be gay...then you can make peace with him...otherwise you'll just pull your hairs out for nothing.

Best of luck bro!

What's your problem man? Are you a learner? Why quote the whole post?

ELgordo: damn its a damn shame the USA has started their rebellion against Gods commandments hmmmmmm its really scary the world would end soon for sure. and whats with all support coming from the president and celebretes men dont try that ish here in Nigeria oooooo

The question I keep asking is what people like this hope to gain with this earth-shaking revelations!

So you are gay...fine. You have probably been with guys on the down low all these while with no one bothering you. Why come out with this now and ruin everything?

Basketball is a contact sport and as much as I respect your desire to be gay, I definitely would not feel comfortable with this guy close marking me on the court

.

So its being a gay a fulfilled life??

I feel for the guy. He had no hand in being gay, he just got born that way. That doesn't make being gay right! It's abnormal and it's quite something to be ashamed of. What I really don't get is why they keep on coming out and saying 'I wanna come out and tell the world who I am, I wanna be free' and all that bvllshit. If I was gay I'd keep it to myself and leave my life like iam straight. The world is unfair and nobody gives a fvck it aint his fault.

they're really pushing this aren't they?

isale_gan2:

There are many gay athletes, at least here in American. They just won't admit it.

I can never understand why people live a life that they're ashamed of. What a way to live! On the other hand, if you do your job and don't discuss your personal life, I can respect that - better than the ones that are so paranoid and fake, like , they have to parade a different woman out on the beach every summer to prove to the world how studly they are. *rolleyes*

rubbish and idiotic comment