What Jason Collins did is awesome, and so is what dozens of other pro basketball players have done by giving him their complete support.
I'm a huge basketball fan, but honestly all I knew about Jason Collins was that he went to Stanford and is considered an excellent team defensive player. I'd never heard him speak and didn't know anything about him personally. But after reading his essay, I can't imagine a better person to have taken this step.
A few things worth mentioning:
He's not exactly an active NBA player. True, he played for the Washington Wizards this year, but their season is over and his contract is up. He's been a pretty marginal player for the last five years or so, and it remains to be seen whether he ever plays another NBA game.
Also, it seems to me that if one of the top 100 or so players in the NBA come out, that would be a whole different thing. Fact is, even if Collins makes an NBA roster next season, he will do mainly what he's done the last five years -- sit on the end of that team's bench. Players, coaches or fans who don't like the idea of gay men on the court, frankly, won't have much opportunity to complain about Jason Collins. But if a guy who plays 30 minutes a game came out, we'd get a much more serious test of the sports world's tolerance.
Also, there are a lot of smart, articulate guys in the NBA, but Collins' background is exceptional. During his time at Stanford he apparently became close friends with fellow students Chelsea Clinton and congressman Joe Kennedy. Bill Clinton said today that he was proud of his friend Jason Collins. The point is, the guy has an amazing network of of support outside the world of basketball and the usual entourages that surround NBA players. I've heard several sportswriters comment today that they expect a number of other pro athletes to come out now, in the next few days or weeks. I do think it will happen eventually, but I wouldn't bet on an immediate flood.
Still, for all the talk about it, no one had ever done this until Jason Collins did, today. For that he has my total admiration.