Athletes back Collins after coming out

MANILA, Philippines – NBA veteran Jason Collins became the first active athlete in the four major American leagues to come out. But athletes in other sports have already taken the risky leap out of the closet, like tennis player Martina Navratilova, who came out in 1981. Navratilova and other athletes, including former NBA player Shaquille O’Neal and Los Angeles Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant, expressed their support for Collins in social media. NBA Commissioner David Stern, meanwhile, said he is proud Collins is assuming the leadership mantle on the issue of being openly gay while in sports. ANC Alerts, ANC, April 30, 2013