Sometimes the fear of being accepted for our true self is so enormous that it keeps us from living as who we are. We happen to fake our identity in hopes of blending in with ordinary. But the misery that follows is the pain and the grief that hollows us within until we finally decide to give up and make the revelation.

NBA star player Jason Collins had a whole time fighting against the urge come out as gay. And when he realized he couldn’t lie any longer, he made the revelation, and in doing so, he became the first NBA player to come out.

Jason played in the NBA for thirteen seasons as a defensive stopper before calling retirement in November 2014.

Good Bye Basketball: Jason Collins officially announced his retirement from the NBA to SI.com (Published on 19 Nov 2014)

With his iconic jersey number 98, the former NBA player has garnered a colossal net worth of $16 million.

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Even Jason Collins' Twin Brother Didn't Know That He Was Gay

The retired African American basketball player was born on 2 December 1978 in Los Angeles, California. He was born alongside his twin brother Jarron Collins who is also a retired NBA player.

Jason shared the same womb with his brother, but he was too skeptical to share the truth regarding his gay orientation. He remained zipped for the matter as long as 33 years old. And when he did share the secret for the first time, it’s not with Jarron.

Collins was terrified of being questioned for being a gay athlete.

Jason Collins: "I’m a 34-year-old NBA center. I’m black. And I’m gay."

November 2013 was the year he collected enough courage to accept the verdict of revelation. And years have passed by since the first time he confirmed to himself that he was gay. He's lived enough in the closet keeping his secret shut. 

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The retired player was eventually tired of hiding his gay identity behind the lie of being straight. It was his emotional fight which he faced every time he would introduce himself to others. To keep the facade going, he lied about having a girlfriend to his teammates so that he would fit in the row of ordinary.

The tormenting lies ultimately led him to acknowledge his identity. And soon, he realized that it was time for him to open up. 

So he had an emotional and courageous talk with his then-agent, Arn Tellem, whose positive response encouraged him to make a public announcement through Sports Illustrated in a first-person article. The very first line read:

I’m a 34-year-old NBA center. I’m black. And I’m gay

Collins overcame his greatest fear and became the first professional male athlete among the four major North American team sports to announce that he is gay, which was equivalent to a triumph.

Many personalities including former US president Barack Obama, TV hosts, Oprah Winfrey, and Ellen DeGeneres and NBA star, Kobe Bryant congratulated him on his victory.

Know Jason Collin's Almost Wife; Another Big Lie

In an attempt of living like a straight man, Collins was engaged to Carolyn Moos, a former women’s professional basketball player for eight years. But he knew he'd never turn Carolyn into his wife. And in 2009, he made it clear to his wife-to-be by calling off on the engagement.

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Carolyn must have had a heartbreak back then, but when the gay reveal was four years later, she processed the split happened for all the right reasons.

Jason Collins Found New Partner; Who Is He?

Coming out as openly gay man made it easier for the NBA alum to cherish his true identity. It made it possible for him to look for a partner within likes. He did find one in 2014 Oscar-nominated producer, Brunson Green. 

Gay Partners: Jason Collins pictured with his partner, Brunson Green on 'Walking Out' Premiere - 2017 Sundance Film Festival (Photo: Photostream)

Obviously, Jason doesn’t like to brag about his dating life. But he is cherishing the relationship with more delight an ever.Â