Former Celtic Jason Collins Comes Out, NBA & Sports World Welcomes Him In

Jason Collins, a Wizard now, but who until just this past trade deadline was the first Celtics center off the bench, has just come out and revealed to the world that he is gay.

First, let me say "Congratulations, Jason!" Others have come out after their careers were all said and done, but you took an unprecedented risk by throwing it out there in the midst of a career, leaving yourself completely at the mercy of public opinion and potential controversy in the locker room to champion your cause.

Not to take anything away from other courageous players like John Amachi, who came out after his retirement from the Orlando Magic and others like him in other sports who came out after they stepped away from the glare of the spotlight, but to out yourself in the middle of a career takes a center-sized amount of courage.

Kudos to Britney Grenier as well.
The former Baylor University star came out before ever suiting up for her WNBA team, the Phoenix Mercury, just after college.

And as large as her announcement was, however, the stigma that exists in men's professional sports is magnified times 1,000 with respect to being openly gay.

Both are heroes and both deserve all of the positive attention and support that they've been getting from the likes of fellow athletes like Magic Johnson, Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade and others in and out of the professional sports world.

May this be the beginning of the end of any controversy over sexuality in the locker room so folks can be free to just be who they are and play ball.

Celtics Work Magic Late In Game #3: Make Wizards Disappear - 89-86

Whew.

See, now THAT wasn't so hard, was it? Actually...it kinda was. This was one of those classic "Hey, their best players are out so it’ll be a cakewalk, right? So, why am I fighting for my life?" games.

With Nene and John Wall watching the game as well-dressed spectators, the Celtics decided to keep the game interesting, taking it down to the last ticks of the clock before securing a three-point victory over a feistier-than-expected Washington Wizards led by guard Jordan Crawford (21 points) and promising big man Kevin Seraphin (19 points,7 boards).

For the Celtics, it was a Truth-ful old-school performance from Captain Paul Pierce who scored a game-high 27 points to go along with 7 rebounds and 3 assists. The Celtics also got a strong defensive performance from Kevin Garnett who helped to get key stops to close out the game and added 15 points, 7 rebounds and one credited block. Rajon Rondo was typically great again, racking up the number 12 in both points and assists with only two turnovers. Jeff Green had a productive night, showing flashes of the aggressive athleticism on display during the preseason with 11 points. 

On the downside, Jason Terry struggled, shooting 2-8 as he continued to look for his comfort zone in the Celtics offense; the Celtics were out-rebounded by 11; and Washington’s bench scoring eclipsed Boston’s 62 - 27. For the most part, though, the Celtics got essentially the shots they wanted, but failed to put the rock in the bucket with consistency.

The Celtics get the next three days off then host the Wizards for the second half of the home and home set before the Philly 76ers come to town on Friday. Then, the Celtics get an early shot at revenge down in Milwaukee against the Bucks on Saturday where they hope to show that they no longer have to Fear The Deer.

And now for your Boston Celtics vs. Washington Wizards Game 3 Box Score.