Newly signed Brooklyn Nets player Jason Collins met with the family of slain college student Matthew Shepard, whose life he commemorates each time he dons a jersey on the court.
Since last season, Collins has worn the number 98, to mark the year that Shepard, who was gay, was killed. Collins gave Shepard's parents and brother signed jerseys after the Nets headed to Denver during Collins's first week back in the NBA since coming out as gay.
I'm so fortunate to have met Matthew Shepard's parents and brother tonight after @BrooklynNets win tonight in Denver pic.twitter.com/PL6k4TvDsW
— Jason Collins (@jasoncollins34) February 28, 2014
It was not a game-worn jersey, Collins said to ESPN. "I did not want to give them a sweaty jersey," he said with a laugh. "This is a backup."
The Nets beat the Denver Nuggets 112-89 Thursday night.
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