When Jason Collins pulls on his No . 98 Brooklyn Nets jersey , he 's not just representing a basketball team . As the first openly gay player in major U.S. sports , he 's also paying tribute to Matthew Shepard , the victim of one of the most infamous hate crimes in recent American history . Shepard , a gay University of Wyoming student , was beaten to death in 1998 . `` I was very fortunate to speak with Matthew 's mother , Judy , '' Collins told CNN 's `` Unguarded with Rachel Nichols . '' `` She had some great advice I do n't think she would mind me sharing . Typically I like to keep private conversations private but her message was : 'Let the haters hate . Just keep living your life and keep going out there and being yourself . ' `` It 's a powerful message and it 's proving effective -- earlier this week Collins ' No . 98 jersey became the best-selling in the NBA . Not bad when you consider that Collins -- who had been without a team after coming out at the end of last season -- has only signed a 10-day contract with the Nets . `` It 's really cool to see the support that 's out there , '' he said . `` It 's cool to see that people are going out there and buying the jersey and wearing it with pride . `` So I hope that continues and I 'll keep wearing the jersey and keep going out there and trying to do my job . '' Collins has been doing his job since making his NBA debut in 2001 . He spent seven years with the New Jersey Nets , the former name of his current employer , before going on to play for Memphis Grizzlies , Minnesota Timberwolves , Atlanta Hawks , Boston Celtics and Washington Wizards . The center 's first game of 2014 could n't have gone any better . The 35-year-old played 10 minutes during a 108-102 win at the Los Angeles Lakers -- his hometown team -- and was given a warm ovation by the Staples Center crowd . The reception he received is an indication of Collins ' newfound prominence . Since coming out in a cover story for an issue of Sports Illustrated in April 2013 , he has become part of a band of high-profile U.S. athletes who have gone public about their homosexuality -- and they have been supporting each other . U.S. international Robbie Rogers , who plays for Major League Soccer 's Los Angeles Galaxy , announced he was gay two months before Collins . After telling the world about his sexuality , Collins went to Rogers for advice on how to handle the media . NFL prospect Michael Sam revealed he was gay this month after completing his college career . If drafted by a franchise , he will become the league 's first openly gay player . `` I 've met some other athletes who are in the same position as I am , '' explained Collins . `` We 're sort of like a fraternity just trying to help each other , just trying to keep inspiring each other , whether it be Robbie Rogers or Michael Sam , the list goes on and on . `` And it 's really great to you know hear each other 's stories and keep inspiring each other to work , '' added Collins , who was a guest of First Lady Michelle Obama at the State of the Union address in January . A free agent since July , Collins ' determination to get back in the NBA was such that he went on a five-mile run the morning before his trip to the House of Representatives . `` I 've grown so much as an individual , I 've come across so many great people , great organizations , heard so many great stories , inspiring stories , '' he said . `` I feel like with my actions I 've had a positive impact on someone else 's life . '' While Collins ' return to the NBA has been a success , it could well be short-lived . His temporary contract means he could be out of the league again by the end of next week , but he remains hopeful of extending his professional career . `` You know anything can happen -- anything 's possible , '' he said . `` You continue to work hard , that 's what I did over the past 10 months ... Always having that positive mindset that good things will happen if you prepare for it . `` It 's the same environment . Everything is the same . Like I said before , 12 years in the NBA , not a problem , not an issue . Year 13 , not a problem , not an issue , same old , same old . '' For the man who is changing the face of the U.S. basketball , Collins is convinced everything looks just like it did before .
Jason Collins is the first openly gay player in major - sport history . Collin 's has played in Brooklyn for wins since signing a 10-day contract . He is one of a group of high - profile players to have come out in recent times . Robbie Rogers announced he was gay last year , and Sam recently came out .