Jason Collins, a former NBA player who made history as the league's first openly gay athlete, has passed away at the age of 47 following a battle with Stage 4 glioblastoma, a severe form of brain cancer. His family confirmed his death on Tuesday, stating he died peacefully at home surrounded by loved ones. Collins had revealed his diagnosis in November and sought experimental treatments in Singapore over the winter, which allowed him to return home briefly to attend events like the NBA All-Star Weekend. Collins had a 13-year professional career, playing for several teams including the Nets, Celtics, and Wizards, before retiring in 2014. He publicly came out in a 2013 Sports Illustrated cover story, becoming a significant cultural figure and global ambassador for the sport, praised for his courage by figures like President Barack Obama. His family remembered him as an inspiration whose actions changed lives in unexpected ways.

Key Points:

- Jason Collins, the NBA's first openly gay player, died at 47 from glioblastoma brain cancer.

- Collins made history in 2013 by coming out publicly before playing his final NBA season.

- He was widely recognized as a pioneer and global ambassador for inclusivity in sports.

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