Collins to receive posthumous ESPYS Ashe award
Key takeaways
- NEW YORK -- Jason Collins will posthumously be honored with the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage for his impact on LGBTQ+ visibility in pro sports at The ESPYS in July.
- Collins was the NBA's first openly gay player who went on to become a pioneer for inclusion and an ambassador for the league.
- The Ashe award is given to a person who has made a difference beyond the field of play by fighting for what they believe in.
Why this matters: a sports story that could shift standings, legacies, or fan conversations.
NEW YORK -- Jason Collins will posthumously be honored with the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage for his impact on LGBTQ+ visibility in pro sports at The ESPYS in July.
Collins was the NBA's first openly gay player who went on to become a pioneer for inclusion and an ambassador for the league. The 13-year center died May 12 of a brain tumor at age 47.
Jason Collins -- the NBA's first openly gay player, died in May of a brain tumor. He will receive the ESPYS Arthur Ashe Award, which will be accepted by his twin brother Jarron Collins. Monica Schipper/Getty ImagesBefore his death, Collins publicly shared his cancer journey and spoke openly about his prognosis in hopes of advancing understanding and helping others facing similar diagnoses.