Cheers to Jason Collins
March 10, 2014 | Revolution Newspaper | revcom.us
Jason Collins became the first openly gay player in the NBA when he signed a ten-day contract with the Brooklyn Nets. And he is taking advantage of the moment to speak out against persecution of gay people. He chose 98 as his jersey number, and in an essay in Sports Illustrated he explained why: "One of the most notorious antigay hate crimes occurred in 1998. Matthew Shepard, a University of Wyoming student, was kidnapped, tortured and lashed to a prairie fence. He died five days after he was finally found."
After his first game, Collins posted a photo of himself presenting a Brooklyn #98 jersey to Shepard's parents, Judy and Dennis, and his brother, Logan. Collins tweeted, "I'm so fortunate to have met Matthew Shepard's parents and brother tonight after [the Nets'] win tonight in Denver."
When Collins signed with the Nets, his No. 98 became the best-selling jersey on the NBA's online store that week.
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