Reaction to Nets' signing of Jason Collins

The Nets signed Jason Collins to a 10-day contract. (Jared Wickersham/NBAE/Getty Images) The Brooklyn Nets have signed Jason Collins to a 10-day contract,

Matt Dollinger | Feb 23, 2014

Reaction to Nets' signing of Jason Collins /

The Nets signed Jason Collins to a 10-day contract. (Jared Wickersham/NBAE/Getty Images)

The Brooklyn Nets have signed Jason Collins to a 10-day contract, making him the first openly gay player in NBA history. Collins will dress tonight for the Nets' game against the Lakers in Los Angeles.

Here's a sampling of the reaction to Sunday's historical news from around Twitter. For the reaction to Collins' initial announcement in May that he is gay, click here.

Jason Collins explains decision to come out to SI (05.06.13)

• Michael Sam, NFL prospect and former Missouri star who recently announced that he was gay:

Congratulations to my friend @jasoncollins34 - excited to see you do work out there #courage #groundbreaking
— Michael Sam (@MichaelSam52) February 23, 2014

• Utah Jazz forward Richard Jefferson, Collins' former teammate:

Richard Jefferson--Collins friend and ex-teammate in NJ--was thrilled for Collins: "His attitude never changed. He was determined."
— Chris Mannix (@SIChrisMannix) February 23, 2014

Jefferson told SI that Collins likely could have been in a training camp, but wanted to go someplace he believed he could contribute.
— Chris Mannix (@SIChrisMannix) February 23, 2014

• Heat star Dwyane Wade, via Ethan Skolnick of Bleacher Report

Dwyane Wade on Jason Collins: "One thing I know about him is he fouled very hard.... Welcome back."
— Ethan J. Skolnick, 5 Reasons Sports (@EthanJSkolnick) February 23, 2014

• Nets general manager Billy King:

In a press release, GM Billy King says signing Collins was a basketball decision. "We needed to increase our depth inside," King said.
— Chris Mannix (@SIChrisMannix) February 23, 2014

•Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau:

Tom Thibodeau: "I just know Jason as a person and a player, and that's what I'm happy about it. He's earned it, he deserves it."
— Ethan J. Skolnick, 5 Reasons Sports (@EthanJSkolnick) February 23, 2014

• Lakers coach Mike D'Antoni, via Mark Medina of the L.A. Daily News:

Mike D'Antoni on Jason Collins playing w/ Brooklyn: "It’s great. It’s terrific. If he can help them as a basketball player, there you go"
— Mark Medina (@MarkG_Medina) February 23, 2014

• Jason's twin brother and former NBA player Jarron Collins:

Hope everyone is enjoying their Sunday. Today should be a pretty cool day!
— jarron collins (@jarronctwin) February 23, 2014

• L.A. Galaxy player Robbie Rogers, who came out in February 2013:

Very excited to watch @jasoncollins34 tonight more importantly I am proud to call him my friend.
— Robbie Rogers (@robbierogers) February 23, 2014

• Ramona Shelburne of ESPN.com, who broke Collins' signing with the Nets:

When he joins the Nets, Jason Collins will officially become the first openly gay athlete in pro sports. Man that felt great to type that.
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) February 23, 2014

• Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News:

Should be noted as well that Mikhail Prokhorov campaigned for gay rights in Russia during his presidential bid.
— Stefan Bondy (@SbondyNBA) February 23, 2014

• Former NBA player Kenny Anderson: