Quotes from Jason Collins

I've been on successful teams pretty much my whole career, but even those two seasons I finished with Memphis and Minnesota, you learn just as much from adversity and losses as you do from success.

For many young people growing up in minority communities, there is a sense that their lives are disposable. As athletes, we have a platform to let those kids know that their lives are important. That their lives matter to us.

Twelve years is a long time in any professional sport. I felt that that longevity speaks to something - and to the fact that I've earned a right to speak.

The more people that choose to live an honest and genuine life, the better it is for everyone.

Having a twin, you always have to share.

When I first came back and I was playing with the Nets, yes, there was a lot of media attention. But after about two weeks, all those stories about being the first gay athlete went away and it became about, 'Wait, how are the Brooklyn Nets doing?' The same goes for Robbie Roberts, who won an MLS Cup.

As all professional athletes know, Father Time is undefeated, and when I wake up in the morning, my back especially lets me know that it's about time to bow out gracefully, let the young guys in and move to being a full time fan of the sport.

I've never sought the spotlight. Though I'm coming out to the world, I intend to guard my privacy.

When you keep telling yourself a lie, at some point you buy your own cover story, like a CIA spy or something.

Every time you go to a new team, every time, it's like going to a new job. You have to go to your coworkers and tell them your story. 'Hey, are you married? Do you have kids?' I got tired of telling a lie. I really got tired of that.

As professional athletes, we're used to inspiring the next generation, people who are younger than us.

It's an honor, any time you play with an organization like the Boston Celtics, all that history there. To put on that uniform, it's a big deal.

I know some people will roll their eyes at this, but it's not like you can totally put academics on pause during March Madness (well, maybe at some schools). At Stanford, you had to handle your business.

Let me tell you about 'Mad Dog' Madsen. He was like the Soccer Dad of the Stanford Men's Basketball Team.

What I did when I was younger was look up to the guys like Dikembe Mutombo and Alonzo Mourning who played over a decade. What did they do to last that long? A lot of it is keeping your body in shape, keeping your mind sharp, staying hungry. You should always want guys around like that to set that example, in my mind.

I would love to see an athlete live their life in an authentic way, not feel that they have to hide, not feel that they have to be afraid, or live with shame - all the other things that go with being a closeted athlete. No human being should have to walk that path. But there is that fear of stepping forward.

The worst insult you can give a professional athlete is to call them soft. And the stereotype out there is that gay is soft.

When I think about March Madness '98, the first thing that comes to mind is Mark 'Mad Dog' Madsen's unorthodox dance moves.

If I'm not scoring, I better do something on the offensive end.

I'm a creature of routine. When the regular season ends I immediately dedicate myself to getting game ready for the opener of the next campaign in the fall.

I've grown so much as an individual, I've come across so many great people, great organizations, heard so many great stories, inspiring stories.

Imagine you're in the oven, baking. Some of us know and accept our sexuality right away and some need more time to cook. I should know - I baked for 33 years.

The N.B.A. is for the best players, not for the most affordable players.

There's nothing more beautiful than just allowing yourself to really be happy and be comfortable in your own skin.