Big news from Jason Collins
Jason Collins — the former NBA player who made headlines years ago for being the first active male athlete in a major U.S. team sport to come out — has shared a tough update: he’s been diagnosed with an aggressive brain cancer called glioblastoma. He’s in treatment now and has described the tumor in his own vivid way: like a creature spreading under the brain.
How he realized something was off
It wasn’t a sudden collapse on the court but smaller, unsettling signs: trouble focusing, forgetting basic tasks — even missing a flight because he couldn’t pack. After scans, doctors found the tumor. Jason has poked fun at his memory lapses, likening the experience to the famously forgetful fish from a family movie, but the situation is very serious.
Taking the athlete mindset into medicine
Collins says his experience as a pro athlete helps him manage the fear and chaos. He compares staring down treatment to facing monstrous opponents on the hardwood — shut up, suit up, and play. That same stubborn, roll-up-your-sleeves attitude carried him when he decided to live openly, and he’s leaning on it again now.
What treatment looks like
Doctors called the tumor inoperable and warned that without treatment time would be very limited, so Jason is undergoing aggressive therapy. He’s receiving medication designed to slow tumor growth and has traveled for specialized chemotherapy. He’s hopeful that these steps can help him and also contribute to advances in treating this disease.
Why he wanted to speak directly
The Collins family had already let people know something was wrong, but Jason wanted to tell the story himself. He says living openly after coming out improved his life, and he hopes that by sharing this chapter he might again help someone he’ll never meet — whether that’s by raising awareness, encouraging others to seek care, or nudging research forward.
Short career rewind
Jason played 13 seasons in the NBA across multiple teams, retired in 2014, and has been recognized for his influence off the court as well as on it. Now he’s tackling a new, far tougher opponent, and he’s asking folks to follow along as he fights.
Sending good vibes to Collins, his husband and family — and applause for the blunt, brave way he’s handling this. Life can be messy and scary, but it sounds like he’s taking it head-on, same as ever.
