President Barack Obama on Monday called
Jason Collins following his coming out.
Collins, a 34-year-old 12-year NBA
veteran and currently a free agent, came out gay in a cover story for
Sports Illustrated, making him the U.S.'s first openly gay
professional athlete.
(Related: NBA's
Jason Collins: First openly gay professional athlete.)
“The president called Jason Collins
to express his support and said he was impressed by his courage,”
said White House spokesman Josh Earnest.
During an appearance Tuesday on ABC's
Good Morning America, Collins said that Obama was “incredibly
supportive.”
He said “he was proud of me and said
that this not only affected my life but others going forward,”
Collins said.
Earlier in the day, White House
spokesman Jay Carney said Collins' decision was “another example of
the progress that has been made and the evolution that has been
taking place in this country.”
(Related: Bill
Clinton on Jason Collins' coming out: Good opportunity for LGBT
community.)