Jason Collins made history today.
The center signed a 10-day contract with the Brooklyn Nets and became the first openly gay active athlete in any of the major American professional sports.
The 35-year old revealed in late April 2013 that he is gay, yet he went unsigned through the rest of the offseason and the first half of the actual season.
"The decision to sign Jason was a basketball decision," general manager Billy King said in a statement. "We needed to increase our depth inside, and with his experience and size, we felt he was the right choice for a 10-day contract."
Still, off the court, an outpouring of support for Collins has been dominating Twitter. A few famous examples include:
Jesse Tyler Ferguson: I know nothing about basketball but i know that I am very excited for @jasoncollins34! The Nets sure are lucky to have him.
Andy Cohen: can't wait to watch @jasoncollins34 play for the Nets tonight! #History
Sarah Michelle Gellar: .@jasoncollins34 So excited for you and so extremely proud. You are the real kind of super hero. I am officially rooting @BrooklynNets
Justin Mikita: Congrats to my friend @jasoncollins34 on the Nets news!
Earlier this month, NFL prospect Michael Sam also came out as gay, with these athletes joining the following celebrity company:
1. Ellen Page
Ellen Page made a major announcement in early 2014: She's gay. We applaud her for it.
2. Neil Patrick Harris
Neil Patrick Harris plays a womanizer on How I Met Your Mother. But he's married to a man in real life.
3. Jim Parsons
Jim Parsons is a multi-time Emmy winner. He came out in an interview with The New York Times.
4. Anderson Cooper
It's the silver fox! Anderson Cooper made his announcment in a moving personal statement.
5. Zachary Quinto
Zachary Quinto is best known for roles in Heroes, American Horror Story and on the stage. He also plays Spock in the new Star Trek franchise.
6. Adam Lambert
There was never any real doubt about Adam Lambert's sexuality. But he made it clear not long after his run on American Idol ended.
7. T.R. Knight
He'll always be George O'Malley to Grey's Anatomy fans. T.R. Knight was at the center of a gay slur scandal that led to a series cast shake-up.
8. Rosie O'Donnell
Rosie O'Donnell is one of our more outspoken celebrities. She has five kids.
9. Sean Hayes
Sean Hayes is a beloved sitcom star. He'll always be revered for his role on Will & Grace.
10. Ellen DeGeneres
Ellen DeGeneres is married to Portia de Rossi. She absolutely cracks us up on her talk show.
11. Lance Bass
Lance Bass sang his way into our hearts a long time ago. We may still have his poster on our bedroom wall.
12. Portia de Rossi
Portia de Rossi is married to Ellen DeGeneres and slays us on Arrested Development. She's never been shy about her sexuality.
13. Robin Roberts
Robin Roberts came out in late 2013. Reporters don't get more respected than this GMA anchor.
14. Jesse Tyler Ferguson
We adore Jesse Tyler Ferguson on Modern Family. The gay actor plays a gay character on the sitcom.
15. Jane Lynch
Jane Lynch has been out of the closet for awhile. She cracks us up on Glee.
16. Chris Colfer
Chris Colfer is doubly gay! He's gay in real life and he plays a gay high school graduate on Glee.
17. Cynthia Nixon
Cynthia Nixon slept with a lot of men on Sex and the City. But she's partial to women off screen.
18. Clay Aiken
Clay Aiken is another gay American Idol alum. He's running for Congress in North Carolina.
19. Wanda Sykes
Wanda Sykes is a hilarious actress. She has never hidden the fact that she's gay.
20. Ricky Martin
Ricky Martin is the father of twin boys. He's living La Vida Loca.
21. Melissa Etheridge
Melissa Etheridge is a great singer. She wants to come to the window of women only.
22. Elton John
It's shocking but true, folks: Elton John is gay!
23. Michael Sam
Michael Sam announced his sexuality prior to the 2014 NFL Draft. He was appropriately applauded for doing so.
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