"I'm happy to have helped put those canards to rest." Collins wore No. 98 during his final seasons in the league; 1998 was the year that Matthew Shepard, a gay college student in Wyoming, was killed.

Jason Collins, who became the first openly gay athlete in North America's four recognized major team sports when he played for the Brooklyn Nets last season, is retiring.

"I'm happy to have helped put those canards to rest." Collins wore No. 98 during his final seasons in the league; 1998 was the year that Matthew Shepard, a gay college student in Wyoming, was killed.

Jason Collins had spent years in the NBA as a reliable big man — not the most stand-out name on the roster, but he brought veteran leadership. However, as the 2012-13 season wound down, the 7'0 ...