Jason Collins Quotes

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Jason Collins

Profession : Basketball Player

Birth : December 2, 1978

I had a happy childhood in the suburbs of L.A. My parents instilled in us an appreciation of history, art and, most important, Motown. Jarron and I weren't allowed to listen to rap until we were 12. After our birthday I dashed to Target and bought DJ Quik's album 'Quik Is the Name.' I memorized every line.

Jason Collins

The best part of when you reveal your authentic self publicly is that it will allow those people around you, whether it's your teammates or people who you thought were friends, you will see their true colors come out. Some people who you might have thought would not be supporters end up being some of your biggest supporters.

Jason Collins

After a game is over, having my boyfriend wait for me in the family room, just like everyone else's loved one and not having to hide that. That feeling is so awesome. Incredible feeling. Absolutely incredible feeling.

Jason Collins

There's nothing more beautiful than just allowing yourself to really be happy and be comfortable in your own skin.

Jason Collins

As all professional athletes know, Father Time is undefeated, and when I wake up in the morning, my back especially lets me know that it's about time to bow out gracefully, let the young guys in and move to being a full time fan of the sport.

Jason Collins

It's healthy to have differing opinions in a democracy, but we have to respect each other and challenge ourselves to do better - to be better.

Jason Collins

So, my role on an NBA basketball team was the defensive stopper, was to be the most physical player on the team. I love that role. I love contact. I love hitting.

Jason Collins

The NBA is like a brotherhood.

Jason Collins

The worst insult you can give a professional athlete is to call them soft. And the stereotype out there is that gay is soft.

Jason Collins

No matter your religion or what your political views are, I think there's one thing we can all agree on. Most human beings are not meant to be alone. I know I'm not.

Jason Collins

Imagine you're in the oven, baking. Some of us know and accept our sexuality right away and some need more time to cook. I should know - I baked for 33 years.

Jason Collins

I love puzzles, challenges, the feeling that you get when you have an obstacle and go through adversity, finding the strength to go on.

Jason Collins

Every time you go to a new team, every time, it's like going to a new job. You have to go to your coworkers and tell them your story. 'Hey, are you married? Do you have kids?' I got tired of telling a lie. I really got tired of that.

Jason Collins

I'm a creature of routine. When the regular season ends I immediately dedicate myself to getting game ready for the opener of the next campaign in the fall.

Jason Collins

I'm not the loudest person in the room, but I'll speak up when something isn't right. And try to make everyone laugh.

Jason Collins

The first relative I came out to was my aunt Teri, a superior court judge in San Francisco. Her reaction surprised me. 'I've known you were gay for years,' she said. From that moment on I was comfortable in my own skin.

Jason Collins

When I came into the NBA from Stanford, I had already decided what type of player I would be. I wanted to be the best player and teammate I could be, but not attract too much attention or make too much noise. I didn't want people to start asking questions about my personal life.

Jason Collins

During that 2011 offseason, as the debate around 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' and DOMA was heating up on social media, I had to pull out every last ounce of self-control to keep myself from retweeting something in support of marriage equality.

Jason Collins

Of course, life is not a Disney movie. Life is messy. There were some people in my family who made gay jokes and used inappropriate language while I was growing up. Coming out to some people was more challenging than others, but in the end, I was amazed by how much my sexuality didn't matter.

Jason Collins

I have been stopped by the police many times in my life.

Jason Collins