After more than a decade in professional sports, why did Jason Collins really decide to come out as a gay ball player?
In his first interview since his big announcement yesterday, Collins reveals to ABC News that the tragedy of the Boston Marathon bombings really put things into perspective for him.
“[The bombings] 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?”
But this isn’t the first time he’s considered coming out. Last summer, Collins considered joining an old Stanford college roommate, U.S. Rep. Joseph Kennedy III, at the Boston gay pride parade. But fear and timing told him not to. He was still worried what teammates, opponents, fans — the world, really — might think.
But his family’s love and support gave him the courage to come out. He revealed that he told them all, one-by-one, about his big secret.
“I think the country is ready for supporting an openly gay basketball player,” Collins said.
In the interview, he also talks about the decision to call off his wedding with a woman, how his twin brother, only 8 minutes older, had no clue about his sexuality, and how his aunt, who he is really close with, knew all along.
“Maybe he should hang out with my aunt more,” Collins joked.
Watch the full interview above.
SOURCE: ABC
