Jason Collins, first openly gay NBA player, dies at 47 ~ ERIUS MAG

Former NBA player Jason Collins, the league's first openly gay player, died on May 12. Collins had been battling Stage 4 gliaobastoma brain cancer since November.

Jason Collins was 47. He was much more than an NBA player. He became a spokesperson, advocate and global ambassador for the sport as well as many other causes.

Collins came out publicly in a Sports Illustrated article in May 2013. As an aside from his story, he also revealed why he chose to wear No. 98. It was a tribute to Matthew Shepard, a University of Wyoming student who was beaten, tortured and left to die in October of 1998. Shepard's mom Judy spoke about Collins' gesture. “It made me cry,”Judy Shepard told FOXSports.comduring an interview. “It was really quite a tribute, and I was very honored. And I know Matt would be thrilled.”

Collins' family released a statement: “Jason changed lives in unexpected ways and was an inspiration to all who knew him and to those who admired him from afar. We are grateful for the outpouring of love and prayers over the past eight months and for the exceptional medical care Jason received from his doctors and nurses. Our family will miss him dearly.”