Pistons exec Arn Tellem pays tribute to barrier-breaking Jason Collins
Jason Collins, who died Tuesday at age 47, was the first openly gay athlete in any of the four major North American pro sports leagues.
Detroit — Pistons vice chairman Arn Tellem paid tribute to Jason Collins on Tuesday night. Collins, the first active player to be openly gay in any of North America's four major professional sports league, died of brain cancer at the age of 47. Collins came out in 2013, in a Sports Illustrated cover story.
At the time, Tellem was his agent. "Representing Jason Collins was one of the great honors and privileges of my life — not only as an agent, but as a counselor and confidant," Tellem said in a statement. "What made Jason so special were the qualities that defined his remarkable 13-year NBA career, and more importantly, his life: toughness, intelligence, responsibility, selflessness, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to others.
"He was always something bigger than himself, and that guided him through every challenged life placed in his path. Helping him navigate his decision to come out as the first openly gay active professional athlete was profoundly meaningful to me. "The courage he showed changed lives and transcended our game.
His impact reached far beyond basketball. " Collins, a 7-foot center, played in the NBA from 2001-14, with the New Jersey Nets, Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves, Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Washington Wizards and Brooklyn Nets. The Nets signed him after he came out in the Sports Illustrated article.