NBA Players, Professional Athletes, Sports Media React To Jason Collins Coming Out As Gay

Kobe Bryant, Baron Davis Among Athletes Showing Support For Jason Collins

In a moving first-person article in Sports Illustrated that was released on Monday, veteran NBA center Jason Collins came out as gay.

"I'm a 34-year-old NBA center. I'm black. And I'm gay," Collins began.

Early in the essay, Collins joked about his circuitous path --six teams in 12 seasons -- through the NBA, referencing the "Three Degrees of Jason Collins" game.

"If you're in the league, and I haven't been your teammate, I surely have been one of your teammates' teammates," Collins explained. "Or one of your teammates' teammates' teammates."

After his landmark announcement, several of the former teammates and opponents that he encountered along the way showed their support for his decision to come out.

Here are some of the notable reactions from NBA players, professional athletes, members of the sports media and one former U.S. president:

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