Jason Collins

If you've been hiding under a rock, or just somehow not on the internet at all today, here's a newsflash -- Jason Collins is now the first active NBA player to be openly gay.

Before I begin, let me state very CLEARLY that what you're about to read need not be misconstrued or misinterpreted such that ANYONE extract from it an attitude associated with me expressing any personal NON-ACCEPTANCE of ANYONE choosing to practice a same-sex lifestyle.

Twelve-year NBA veteran center Jason Collins writes in an essay in Sports Illustrated: "I didn't set out to be the first openly gay man playing in a major American team sport. But since I am, I'm happy to start the conversation."