“I’m a 34-year-old NBA center. I’m black. And I’m gay.”

In a piece written for Sports Illustrated by the man himself, Jason Collins, a free-agent center who played for the Boston Celtics and Washington Wizards this past season, has become the first active NBA player to openly reveal his sexuality as a gay man.

“I didn’t set out to be the first openly gay athlete playing in a major American team sport. But since I am, I’m happy to start the conversation,” Collins wrote. “I wish I wasn’t the kid in the classroom raising his hand and saying, “I’m different.” If I had my way, someone else would have already done this. Nobody has, which is why I’m raising my hand.” (SI.com)

You can read the piece in its entirety by clicking here.

Collins played 32 games for the Boston Celtics this past season. He was dealt before the trade deadline along with Leandro Barbosa to the Washington Wizards in a move to acquire Jordan Crawford.

Over his 14-year NBA career, Jason has also suited up for the Atlanta Hawks, New Jersey Nets, Memphis Grizzlies and Minnesota Timberwolves. He has career averages of 3.6 points and 3.8 rebounds.

Since his reveal, the outpouring of love and support from the world of social media has been tremendous. There have been ignorant and naive comments here and there, but for the most part, fans, fellow athletes and members of the media have handled this news with the respect and care that it deserves.

This is a landmark moment in professional sports, and it should be treated as such.

It took a great deal of courage for Jason Collins to come out to the world.

Jason Collins is a hero.

Twitter Shows Support

Proud of @jasoncollins34. Don’t suffocate who u r because of the ignorance of others #courage #support #mambaarmystandup #BYOU

— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) April 29, 2013

I am so proud of my bro @jasoncollins34 for being real. #FTheHaters bit.ly/12J9el5

— Baron Davis (@Baron_Davis) April 29, 2013

The cheapest reaction to Jason Collins’ announcement is to act blasé and say its not a big deal. It’s an enormously big deal. Good for him.

— Jason Gay (@jasonWSJ) April 29, 2013

Happy for @jasoncollins34 – a thoughtful guy + beloved teammate, and now, a role model for so many struggling to come out. Good luck to him.

— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) April 29, 2013

David Stern, in statement on Jason Collins, says,”We are proud he has assumed the leadership mantle on this very important issue.”

— Ken Berger (@KBergCBS) April 29, 2013

If you don’t understand that Jason Collins is a hero, stop embarrassing yourself.

— Pablo S. Torre (@PabloTorre) April 29, 2013

Extremely impressed w/Jason Collins coming out, and doing it so eloquently. He has played on 6 NBA teams and (cont) tl.gd/n_1rk1ete

— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) April 29, 2013

Jason Collins has always been a true professional. Always seek him out on his teams for perspective. Good for him. Hope he is at peace.

— David Aldridge (@daldridgetnt) April 29, 2013

This week’s SI Cover – Jason Collins comes out of the closet: twitter.com/si_vault/statu…

— Andy Gray (@si_vault) April 29, 2013

Cheers to L.A. kid Jason Collins…blaze that trail, dude is.gd/3EuaAw

— Bill Plaschke (@BillPlaschke) April 29, 2013

Wow. Brave, strong human being. RT @sinow: “I’m a 34-year-old NBA center. I’m black. And I’m gay,” – Jason Collins bit.ly/12J9el5

— Bill Barnwell (@billbarnwell) April 29, 2013

Perhaps best sums up Jason Collins’ character: If I’m up against an intolerant player, I’ll set a pretty hard pick on him. And then move on.

— Scott Souza (@scott_souza) April 29, 2013

Beyond being proud of Jason Collins, I’m also happy to see the support he is receiving from so many across the NBA & other walks of life.

— Darius Soriano (@forumbluegold) April 29, 2013

Hugs to @jasoncollins34! It’s a real ⚽“Touchdown 4 Tolerance!”⚽

— rob delaney (@robdelaney) April 29, 2013

Immense kudos to Jason Collins. May the NBA lead the charge in terms of pros coming out. Proud to love that league: sportsillustrated.cnn.com/magazine/news/…

— Juan José Vallejo (@juanjo_sports) April 29, 2013

Jason Collins…. From this day forward you will always been known as an inspiration to millions in this country…. fb.me/239HzgHrW

— Albert Rivera (@bronxsax) April 29, 2013

Hope this will make it easier for kids struggling to come out NBA center Jason Collins announces he is gay usat.ly/11S0Gqr @forthewin

— Alison Jacobson (@safetymom) April 29, 2013

Congrats to Jason Collins on his courageous step in changing the history of sports today. The time is now!

— Alan Gendreau (@AGendreau38) April 29, 2013

BILL CLINTON: Jason Collins’ Coming Out Is An ‘Important Moment For Professional Sports’ businessinsider.com/jason-collins-… via @bi_politics#LGBT

— Lisa H. (@EdiblyOrganic) April 29, 2013

Chris Walder is the Editor of Sir Charles in Charge. You may follow him on Twitter at @WalderSports

Be sure to “LIKE” the Facebook Fan Page for Sir Charles in Charge by clicking here

Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports

Welcome to the very first edition of the “SCIC Link Laboratory”, here at Sir Charles in Charge.

The Link Lab will feature links to not only some great pieces/articles/videos here on the Fansided network, but also around the sports blogosphere, as well.

Let’s begin….

Ben Beeken of Dunking With Wolves evaluates the defensive play of second-year Timberwolves point guard Ricky Rubio, and why he may in fact be one of the most underrated guards on that side of the ball in the entire league. Check it out on Fansided.com.

With just a little under a month remaining of the 2012-13 NBA regular season, Grant Mailhes of Fansided.com takes a look at where all 30 teams rank in the latest edition of the Fansided NBA Power Rankings. SPOILER: The Miami Heat and their 27-game winning streak find themselves at #1 (clearly).

The NCAA March Madness Tournament always has a large impact on where certain players can wind up finding themselves selected in that summers NBA Draft. With the Sweet Sixteen taking place in a few days, Jonathan Wasserman of Bleacher Report updates his 2013 NBA Mock Draft with the Round of 32 now complete. Where do college basketball studs Ben McLemore of Kansas, Otto Porter of Georgetown and Anthony Bennett of UNLV fall in this early Mock Draft?

Christian Laettner’s buzzer-beater as a member of Duke in the 1992 East Regional Final against Kentucky easily ranks as the greatest college basketball shot of all-time. Yahoo Sports and Rivals.com looks back at this memorable moment and fantastic game in a video piece that features Laettner recounting the play that defined his career.

There is nothing more frustrating than having a player on your favorite team underperforming, despite making a buttload of money in the process. Vytis Lasaitis of fellow NBA Fansided general site King James Gospel lists the 30 most overpaid players in the NBA today. This list includes Joe Johnson of the Brooklyn Nets, Amare Stoudemire of the New York Knicks and Richard Jefferson of the Golden State Warriors.

Chris Walder is the Editor of Sir Charles in Charge. You may follow him on Twitter at @WalderSports

Be sure to “LIKE” the Facebook Fan Page for Sir Charles in Charge by clicking here