¨OUT MAN¨ JASON COLLINS WEARS #98: Our hero, a LGBTI hero who honors the memory of our Episcopalian brother Matthew Sheppard!

DENVER — Jason Collins had plenty of gifts for Matthew Shepard’s parents: a basket, a blowout, an autographed No. 98 jersey that he wears in honor of their son.

They also shared some laughs.

Collins played the final eight minutes of the Brooklyn Nets’ 112-89 romp over the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night, and although his three points and four fouls weren’t much to look at in the boxscore, rarely has the 35-year-old center been this proud of a performance.

David Zalubowski, AP
Brooklyn Nets center Jason Collins acknowledges the cheers from his teammates after Collins hit a basket against the Denver Nuggets late in the fourth quarter of the Nets’ 112-89 victory in an NBA basketball game in Denver on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2014.

David Zalubowski, AP
Fan holds up a sign in support of Brooklyn Nets center Jason Collins as he plays against the Denver Nuggets on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2014.

“I got them a bucket,” the center said.

After his cameo in Brooklyn’s recovery from a 44-point loss against the Trail Blazers 24 hours earlier, Collins, the first openly gay athlete in America’s four major sports, met with the parents of the slain Wyoming college student who was tortured and murdered in 1998 because he was gay.

Collins, who signed a 10-day contract with the Nets on Sunday, said the chance to meet Dennis and Judy Shepard was “one of those cool treats in life.”

He gave them a signed black and white jersey — although not a game-worn one.

“I did not want to give them a sweaty jersey, so this is a backup,” he said with a laugh.

More laughter could be heard throughout their meeting in a room between the teams’ locker rooms that lasted about 10 minutes before Collins got on the team bus.

“It was delightful. We were happy to finally have the opportunity to meet,” said Judy Shepard, who had spoken with Collins by phone last year after Collins announced he was gay and wore No. 98 because of her son.

Her husband said he hopes the day quickly comes when someone’s sexuality is a non-issue...¨ please read it all,

 http://www.lgbtqnation.com/2014/02/jason-collins-who-wears-98-in-honor-of-their-son-meets-matthew-shepards-parents/

Thanks to Arnie Stapleton/Associated Press
Thanks to Jason Collins
Thanks to Judy and Dennis Sheppard
Thanks to The Brooklyn Nets

UPDATE!

Great news today for Jason Collins, the first active openly-gay player in NBA history: after signing him to two consecutive ten-day contracts, the Brooklyn Nets have decided to retain him for the rest of the season.

http://www.bilerico.com/2014/03/brooklyn_nets_keeping_jason_collins.php