Quotes from Jason Collins

I'm one of those players that wakes up and has like three fouls already.

I don't blend in.

After a game is over, having my boyfriend wait for me in the family room, just like everyone else's loved one and not having to hide that. That feeling is so awesome. Incredible feeling. Absolutely incredible feeling.

The NBA is like a brotherhood.

I pride myself on setting tough picks and going out there and being physical. And on the defensive end, players drive the lane, I'm either going to try to take a charge on you or foul you pretty hard.

The first relative I came out to was my aunt Teri, a superior court judge in San Francisco. Her reaction surprised me. 'I've known you were gay for years,' she said. From that moment on I was comfortable in my own skin.

During that 2011 offseason, as the debate around 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' and DOMA was heating up on social media, I had to pull out every last ounce of self-control to keep myself from retweeting something in support of marriage equality.

I think it's up to the rest of us to try to create that environment where those closeted athletes out there know that when they do choose to step forward, that they will be supported and championed, and continue to play the sport, continue to evolve, and not feel that they have to hide who they are.

My dream was to play in the NBA and live my authentic life as a proud gay man at the same time. I was able to accomplish both of those goals because of the people who have supported me throughout my life.

I think the country is ready for supporting an openly gay basketball player.

I am in love with the creator of heaven and earth. I see the morning sun and thank the Lord for everything that he has blessed me with. That is a perfect start to every morning.

My journey of self-discovery and self-acknowledgement began in my hometown of Los Angeles and has taken me through two state high school championships, the NCAA Final Four and the Elite Eight, and nine playoffs in 12 NBA seasons.

That's how I conduct myself - just being professional.

One goal that I have attained in my life that I'm very proud of is to have a positive impact on someone else's life.

It's nice to have a positive impact on someone's else's life, and I feel like with my actions that I've had a positive impact on someone's else's life.

Deep down, on a human level, I think everyone knows that it is better to live an authentic life.

I had a happy childhood in the suburbs of L.A. My parents instilled in us an appreciation of history, art and, most important, Motown. Jarron and I weren't allowed to listen to rap until we were 12. After our birthday I dashed to Target and bought DJ Quik's album 'Quik Is the Name.' I memorized every line.

I didn't set out to be the first openly gay athlete playing in a major American team sport.

When I came into the NBA from Stanford, I had already decided what type of player I would be. I wanted to be the best player and teammate I could be, but not attract too much attention or make too much noise. I didn't want people to start asking questions about my personal life.

There's only so many times you can write the story about the gay teammate.

The best part of when you reveal your authentic self publicly is that it will allow those people around you, whether it's your teammates or people who you thought were friends, you will see their true colors come out. Some people who you might have thought would not be supporters end up being some of your biggest supporters.

From my teammates, I'm expecting support because that's what I would do for my teammates.

I check into the game and the ref cleans the whistle off, 'OK 98s coming in.' I'm one of those players that's physical and I use my fouls.

There isn't a professional athlete that doesn't want to play 12, 13 years.