Intro:

Jason Collins, the NBA's first openly gay player, announced his retirement on Wednesday (19 November).

Script:

SOUNDBITE: (English) Jason Collins

"Yeah the past 18, 19 months have been incredible. I've grown so much as a human being. My friends, family, loved ones, fans, coaches, teammates, entire NBA, everyone... Just thank you to everyone who has supported me over the past 18 months and before that as well and again, it's time."

SOUNDBITE: (English) Jason Collins (about other gay athletes before him)

"I know that I couldn't be here today without those people who came before me going back to Billie Jean King who I just saw earlier today. All those other individuals who continue to live their authentic life, and make it possible for someone else like myself to come along and in the future we will see other people take that step and it's great to see regardless of the profession whether it be... I would love to see more people in the world of sports step forward but, as recently as Tim Cook from Apple, all of us are doing our part and to encourage society to shift in a new direction."