Brandon Clarke
First “public” homosexual did not survive brain cancer. Brandon was just 29 years old and played for the Memphis Grizzlies.
He died Jason Collins, this Tuesday. The former basketball player did not survive brain cancer, which glioblastoma.
Glioblastoma is a primary, aggressive and rapidly growing malignant brain tumor. Jason, 47 years old, He was still subjected to treatments over the last few months, but did not survive.
The NBA announced his death: “Jason transformed lives in unexpected ways and was an inspiration to all who knew him and to those who admired him from afar.”
The “transformation” that the NBA mentions is not related to its curriculum within the pavilions.
The former player spent most of his career (7 years) with the New Jersey Nets. He later played for the Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves, Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Washington Wizards and Brooklyn Nets, his last club, in 2014.
A year earlier, in 2013, was a turning point. This “transformation” took place.
“I’m a post in the NBA. I’m 34 years old. I’m black. And I’m gay.”
Jason Collins was the first player from the four major leagues in the USA (basketball, ice hockey, baseball and American football) announcing that he was homosexual.
And his idea wasn’t even to be the first: “I didn’t have the ambition to be the first athlete in a major sport in the United States to come out and reveal my homosexuality. But now that I’ve done it, I’m happy.”
In fact, if someone had anticipated, they wouldn’t even have said that sentence publicly: “I wish I wasn’t the kid in the classroom who raised their hand to say, ‘I’m different’. If someone had done that, I would have gone my way. But no one did, and that’s why I’m raising my hand.”
Applause multiplied, signs of respect (as if Ticha Penicheiro, at the time) and thanks. Even the president Barack Obama called him at the time.
The Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest LGBTQ civil rights group, looks to Jason Collins as a innovative figure.
Because he spoke when no one spoke.
“Jason will be remembered, not only for breaking barriers, but also for the kindness and humanity that defined his life and touched so many others,” reacted NBA leader Adam Silver.
Brandon Clarke
On the same day, a “shock” for MBA followers: Brandon Clarke diedplayer for the Memphis Grizzlies. I just had 29 years old.
“We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Brandon Clarke. Brandon was an exceptional teammate and an even greater person whose impact on the organization and the Memphis community will not be forgotten,” his team announced.
The cause of death was not revealed. According to , it would have been a overdose; Drug devices were found in his home.
Brandon Clarke always played for the Memphis Grizzlies in the NBA.
Nuno Teixeira da Silva, ZAP //
