Players hail Collins' courage for coming out

[Cali_Democrat]

WASHINGTON — NBA superstars Kobe Bryant and Steve Nash on Monday led a throng of players and celebrities offering support for Jason Collins, after the veteran center made the landmark revelation that he is gay.

Collins, who played for Boston and Washington this past season but who is now a free agent, has become the first active American professional team sports player to publicly reveal his homosexuality.

"Proud of @jasoncollins34. Don't suffocate who u r because of the ignorance of others #courage #support," Los Angeles Lakers star Bryant posted on Twitter.

Canada's Nash, a backcourt teammate of Bryant whose club was swept out of the NBA playoffs by San Antonio on Sunday, tweeted: "The time has come. Maximum respect."

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