Jason Collins takes the court as 1st openly gay active player in major sports

When Jason Collins checked in for the Brooklyn Nets with 10:28 left in the second quarter of a road game against the L.A. Lakers, he was cheered by Laker fans applauding the historic moment.

By playing 11 minutes for the Nets in a 108-102 win for his team, Collins became the first active openly gay player among the four major sports played in the United States. There was nothing impressive about his performance– two rebounds, a steal, two turnovers and five fouls–on the court, but hardly anyone expected any more than he contributed considering it was his first game since last April.

Jason Collins is the first active player to suit up for a team in a major sport

What was important about the moment was how much of a non-issue Collins' presence on the court turned out to be. In fact, there was more of a frenzy at the press conference announcing his signing to a 10-day contract (which rarely warrants a press conference) than in anything else he was involved with beyond that. This big moment in sports turned out to be...well...not much of a big deal at all.

Which is a good thing.

Collins didn't need to be treated any differently than he was used to prior to coming out. Business needed to go on as usual, and that's what happened. It would've been awkward if he entered the game to players hugging, dishing hi-fives or applauding him. It would've been too much of a spectacle, though I can understand if anyone may have wanted to play up this moment for what it's worth. After all college football player and NFL prospect Michael Sam is currently getting the full media scrutiny after coming out prior to the NFL draft. He had previously been projected as a possible third round pick, but some analysts have hinted that his revelation could hurt his draft chances. As he prepares for the NFL Combine, he has pleaded with teams and the media to focus on his skills and not his sexual orientation.

Michael Sam is hoping to be the first openly gay NFL player next season

There have been plenty of gay athletes in major sports for at least five decades. In the 1960s and '70s, NFL running back David Kopay was reportedly one of three gay players who suited up for the Washington Redskins. Though he was the only one to come out, Kopay revealed that he had had a sexual relationship with teammate tight end Jerry Smith after Smith died of an AIDS-related illness in 1986. However, since becoming the first NFL player to reveal his homosexuality, only four former players have followed suit; the latest being former offensive tackle Kwame Harris who came out publicly on CNN after a public spat with his ex-boyfriend was reported by several media. Last year, several media quoted former NFL player and gay rights advocate Brendon Ayanbadejo saying four active NFL players were contemplating coming out, but the whispers eventually died down without fanfare. In the NBA, former center John Amaechi, who came out shortly after his retirement in 2007, remained the only known gay player in the league until Collins' revelation last year. In baseball, former L.A. Dodger and Oakland Athletics player Glenn Burke was known to be gay by some of his teammates during his four-year career between 1976-1979, but wasn't publicly identified as a gay man. There's also former outfielder Billy Bean who retired in 1995, before coming out in 1999.

As much of the United States and other developed countries have become more accepting of gays, the signs have pointed to the presence of active gay athletes as a non-factor. After Sam came out, an ESPN poll showed that 47 of 51 active NFL players polled were OK with having a gay teammate. Several WNBA players, notably 2013 No. 1 pick Brittney Griner, have been playing as openly gay athletes, as have a few athletes in other sports. So while Collins' feat was a historic one, it comes at a time when sentiments toward gays have significantly improved.

During his media rounds Collins described his twin brother Jarron, a retired NBA player, as in support of his decision to come out. Two decades ago, a very similar scenario involving two brothers played out differently. When former UK soccer player Justin Fashanu revealed his homosexuality in 1990 at the age of 29, he was publicly denounced and disowned by his younger brother John Fashanu, also a soccer player. Justin made his revelation as an active player, but was forced to retire after facing what he said was a deep-seated prejudice against him. After a failed coaching career and a sexual assault allegation made by a 17-year-old American boy against him, and without the support of his family, Justin committed suicide eight years after his decision. Even with his brother long dead, John Fashanu has remained defiantly unsupportive of Justin's decision, saying in 2012 that he doesn't believe his brother was gay, but was merely seeking attention.

Justin Fashanu came out as an active player at 29

John Fashanu did not support his brother's decision

Nearly 25 years after Justin Fashanu came out with no support (he was dropped by his team following his announcement,) Collins took the court with plenty of support. And while his future in the sport isn't guaranteed beyond the next 10 days (the Nets could re-sign him to another 10-day contract before they are forced to drop him or sign him for the remainder of the season,) the significance of his achievement isn't lost on sports fans. But it just wasn't all it was hyped up to be because most people recognize what everyone should know by now: that there are gay athletes in sports. That there have been for a while now, and that few care about their dating life as long as they can contribute toward winning.

Collins' historic feat just happened to be the moment that confirmed this notion.