Jason Collins recently came out of the closet, making him the first active player in one of the four major American sports to do so. Some people, like myself, may not think this is necessarily huge news, but one person who was definitely taken aback was Carolyn Moos, Collins’ ex-fiance.
Overall, no one really interpreted this, but for Moos, it also offered some consolation to pain that was caused by Collins when he broke of their engagement a month before the wedding. Moos reported that she is happy for him and feels he “deserves to live the life that he wants.”
Collins has received a ton of support since making his announcement from pretty much everyone, including his former Standford teammate and childhood friend, Mike McDonald, as well as his former Cardinal and Memphis Grizzlies teammate, Casey Jacobsen. The only disappointment Jacobsen expressed was the fact that Collins didn’t confide in him earlier.
Jacobsen went on to express that playing with a gay teammate is not an issue that athletes should concern themselves with, or something to cause fear in the locker room and shower.
Of course, not everyone thinks Collins is a pioneer or a hero. CBS play-by-play announcer Tim Brando expressed his opinion on Collins, which wasn’t entirely negative, but it also wasn’t nearly as supportive as many other comments on Monday and Tuesday:
On the topic of Jason Collins I really don’t care and frankly why should anyone else.The HERO worship is out of bounds.I’m glad he is happy.
— Tim Brando (@TimBrando) April 29, 2013
So what do you think? Is Collins a “hero,” a “pioneer,” both or neither? Comment below and let us know!
