Jason Collins, Michelle Obama To Headline Political Fundraiser

Jason Collins is apparently going to help Michelle Obama raise money for the Democrats.

Collins, 34, made national news this week in coming out as the first openly active gay player in the NBA. Since his announcement that was set forth in a Sports Illustrated article, Jason Collins has received expressions of support from across sports, entertainment, and politics.

With regard to the latter, according to an inside source, the journeyman NBC center will reportedly be joining the first lady in New York fundraiser at the end of this month. “Collins will appear with Obama at the May 29 Democratic National Committee LGBT gala, the source said. The event is Obama’s first fundraising stop since President Barack Obama won re-election … Both Obamas announced their support for Collins in the wake of his announcement. Barack Obama called Collins and spoke approvingly of him at the end of his press conference Tuesday.”

Jason Collins, who is now a free agent, played 32 games for the Boston Celtics before being traded to the Washington Wizards in February. In his pro career, he has averaged about three points and four rebounds per game. A Standford graduate, he was originally drafted by the Houston Rockets in the first round (18th overall) in 2001.

In his piece in Sports Illustrated, Collins said he didn’t set out to become the first openly gay athlete in a major professional sport, but he is “happy to start the conversation” by doing so. “If I had my way, someone else would have already done this,” Collins said. “Nobody has, which is why I’m raising my hand.”

Collins is also reportedly sitting down for a television interview with Oprah.

Even if he gets a new NBA contract next season, Jason Collins is nearing the end of his pro basketball work. Do you think that his big revelation this week was in any way related to careerism?