Jason Collins Announces Stage Four Glioblastoma Diagnosis, Faces New Challenge with Familiar Resolve
A pioneering figure in sports and LGBTQ+ rights, Jason Collins, has revealed he is battling an aggressive form of brain cancer. The former NBA player announced his diagnosis of stage four glioblastoma in an article published by ESPN on Thursday, detailing his current treatment and outlook.
Collins, 47, described the tumor as “a monster with tentacles spreading across the underside of my brain the width of a baseball.” Medical professionals informed him that, without intervention, he would have only three months to live.
The diagnosis comes after Collins began experiencing difficulties with focus and memory shortly after marrying his husband in May. He recounted missing a flight due to an inability to pack, a symptom that ultimately led to a brain scan and the devastating discovery. “My mental clarity, short-term memory and comprehension disappeared – turning into an NBA player’s version of ‘Dory’ from ‘Finding Nemo’,” he joked, referencing the forgetful character from the Disney film.
This public disclosure, Collins wrote, mirrors the courage he summoned when he came out as gay – a historic moment as the first active male athlete in a major American professional team sport to do so. He reflected that the years since coming out have been “the best of my life,” emphasizing the liberation of living authentically. “Your life is so much better when you just show up as your true self, unafraid to be your true self, in public or private. This is me. This is what I’m dealing with.”
Collins is currently undergoing treatment with Avastin, a drug aimed at slowing tumor growth, and is receiving targeted chemotherapy in Singapore. He expressed hope that his experience will contribute to advancements in fighting the disease, much like his openness about his sexuality paved the way for others. “After I came out, someone I really respect told me that my choice to live openly could help someone who I might never meet,” he shared. “I’ve held onto that for years. And if I can do that again now, then that matters.”
The veteran athlete, who played 13 seasons for six NBA teams and was once featured on Time Magazine’s list of the 100 most influential people, approaches this new battle with the same tenacity he displayed on the court. He likened the challenges of treatment to facing basketball superstar Shaquille O’Neal. “As an athlete you learn not to panic in moments like this,” he explained. “To me it’s like, ‘Shut up and go play against Shaq.’ You want the challenge? This is the challenge. And there is no bigger challenge in basketball than going up against prime Shaquille O’Neal, and I’ve done that.”
While his family initially released a brief statement in September regarding the brain tumor, Collins felt it was crucial to share his story directly with the public. He retired from professional basketball in 2014, leaving behind a legacy of athletic achievement and courageous advocacy.
