Washington Wizards center Jason Collins made news and history today as the first man in a major pro team sport to come out as gay while still playing. Over the past 12 years, Collins has played with six NBA teams. He said his coming-out was driven by a desire for authenticity. "I didn't set out to be the first openly gay athlete playing in a major American team sport," he wrote in Sports Illustrated. "But since I am, I'm happy to start the conversation."
Click through for a gallery of Jason Collins in action.
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Collins (number 35), then with the New Jersey Nets. battles Richard Hamilton of the Detroit Pistons for a rebound in game 6 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the 2004 NBA Playoffs, May 16, 2004.
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With the Nets, Collins dunks the ball in a game against the Milwaukee Bucks, December 28, 2002.
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Jason Kidd of the Nets passes the ball to teammate Collins between two Charlotte Hornets during game 5 of their NBA Eastern Conference semifinals, May 15, 2002, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Nets won the game 103-95 to take the series 4-1.
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Eddie Gill (right) of the Indiana Pacers looses control of the ball as he drives past Jason Collins in a game against the Nets March 22, 2005.
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Shaquille O'Neal of the Miami Heat tangles with Collins in game 1 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals of the 2005 NBA Playoffs, April 24, 2005.
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From left: Collins, Jason Kidd, and Nenad Krstic sit on the bench during the last minute of their game against the Miami Heat in game 4 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2005 NBA Playoffs, May 1, 2005.
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Collins (on floor) fights for control of the ball against Shandon Anderson (right) and Udonis Haslem of the Miami Heat in game 4 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2005 NBA Playoffs, May 1, 2005.
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Collins voices his displeasure with a foul call in game 5 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2006 NBA Playoffs, May 16, 2006.
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Collins (number 34) helps the Atlanta Hawks battle the Orlando Magic during game 6 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs, April 28, 2011.
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Collins, playing for the Boston Celtics, takes a break in the game against the Brooklyn Nets November 15, 2012.