Jason Collins: "34-year-old NBA center. I’m black. And I’m gay."

Twelve-year NBA veteran, Jason Collins, is making history as the first openly gay man from a major American sports team. The announcement came in an essay published in Sports Illustrated’s May 6 issue.

“I didn’t set out to be the first openly gay athlete playing in a major American team sport,” Collins writes.

“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.”

Collins, currently a free agent but who played for both the Washington Wizards and Boston Celtics this past season, has went to great strides over the past years to cover up his sexuality. He only recently told his own brother.

In his letter he explains how he assumes many players will be shocked by the news. “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.”

Why now? The unfortunate events of April 15th in Boston made Collins realize that “things can change in an instant, so why not live truthfully?”

David Stern, NBA Commissioner, issued a statement on Monday supporting Collins coming out.

“As Adam Silver and I said to Jason, we have known the Collins family since Jason and [his twin brother] Jarron joined the NBA in 2001 and they have been exemplary members of the NBA family,” said Stern. “Jason has been a widely respected player and teammate throughout his career and we are proud he has assumed the leadership mantle on this very important issue.”

Former U.S. President, Bill Clinton, who’s daughter Chelsea was a classmate of Collins at Stanford tweeted that he was “proud to call Jason a friend” and issued a powerful statement applauding his coming out.

“Jason’s announcement today is an important moment for professional sports and in the history of the LGBT community,” Clinton said.

“It is also the straightforward statement of a good man who wants no more than what so many of us seek: to be able to be who we are; to do our work; to build families and to contribute to our communities. For so many members of the LGBT community, these simple goals remain elusive. I hope that everyone, particularly Jason’s colleagues in the NBA, the media and his many fans extend to him their support and the respect he has earned.”