Former Celtic comes out

Former Celtic and current Washington Wizards center Jason Collins announced in a first-hand story for this week's Sports Illustrated that he is gay.

Collins becomes the first active player in a major American sport to publicly come out as gay.

Collins has played for six teams throughout his 12-year career. During the offseason, he signed a one-year deal for the veteran-minimum with the Celtics. Collins played in 32 games with the Celtics and averaged 10.3 minutes per game. He was known for his tough defense and veteran presence in the locker room.

Collins was traded to the Wizards along with Leandro Barbosa before the trade deadline for Jordan Crawford. Celtics coach Doc Rivers was very disappointed to part with Collins, and Rivers called him "one of the best guys I've ever had" in the locker room.

Rivers released a statement regarding Collins's announcement earlier this afternoon:

"I am extremely happy and proud of Jason Collins. He's a pro's pro. He is the consummate professional and he is one of my favorite 'team' players I have ever coached. If you have learned anything from Jackie Robinson, it is that teammates are always the first to accept. It will be society who has to learn tolerance. One of my favorite sayings is, 'I am who I am, are whom we are, can be what I want to be its not up to you, it's just me being me.'"