Just Sayin': Reaction to Collins' announcement

Jason Collins' announcement that he's gay received positive and negative reaction.

The Sports Xchange looks at what people are Just Sayin' about Collins:

NBA Hall of Famer Charles Barkley, on TNT:

"This was a great day for the NBA."

White House spokesman Jay Carney:

"I can certainly tell you that here at the White House we view that as another example of the progress that has been made and the evolution that has been taking place in this country."

Former President Bill Clinton:

"I'm proud to call Jason Collins a friend. ... Jason's announcement today is an important moment for professional sports and in the history of the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) community. It is also the straightforward statement of a good man who wants no more than what so many of us seek: to be able to be who we are; to do our work; to build families and to contribute to our communities.

"For so many members of the LGBT community, these simple goals remain elusive. I hope that everyone, particularly Jason's colleagues in the NBA, the media and his many fans extend to him their support and the respect he has earned."

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Mike Wallace, on Twitter:

"All these beautiful women in the (world) and guys wanna mess with other guys SMH..."

(Wallace subsequently deleted the original tweet, then posted another tweet.)

"Never said anything was right or wrong I just said I don't understand!! Deeply sorry for anyone that I offended"

Filmmaker Spike Lee, on Twitter:

"Orange And Blue Skies Salutes Jason Collins. Thank You For Your Courage,A Slam Dunk Against HOMOPHOBIA.And Dat's Da 'FREEDOM'Truth,Ruth."

Brooklyn Nets guard/forward Joe Johnson, who played for the Atlanta Hawks with Collins last season:

"Jason Collins was one of the best teammates I've ever had. I respect his tremendous courage to come out and I will always support him."

ESPN basketball analyst Chris Broussard:

"Personally I don't believe that you can live an openly homosexual lifestyle or an openly premarital sex between heterosexuals. If you're openly living that type of lifestyle, the Bible says you know them by their fruits, it says that's a sin. If you're openly living in unrepentant sin, whatever it may be, not just homosexuality, adultery, fornication, premarital sex between heterosexuals, whatever it may be. I think that's walking in open rebellion to God and to Jesus Christ. I would not characterize that person as a Christian because I don't think the Bible would characterize them as a Christian."

NBA commissioner David Stern:

"We have known the Collins family since Jason and (twin brother) Jarron joined the NBA in 2001 and they have been exemplary members of the NBA family. Jason has been a widely respected player and teammate throughout his career and we are proud he has assumed the leadership mantle on this very important issue."

Ellen DeGeneres, on Twitter:

"@NBA center @JasonCollins34 is the 1st out player on a US major league team. I'm overwhelmed by your bravery, Jason, & sending so much love"

Los Angeles Lakers forward Metta World Peace, heading to his season-ending meeting with team general manager Mitch Kupchak:

"Whether it's a free country or not, you should be free to act as you want to do as long as it's not violent, no matter what it is. I came here in a Cookie Monster shirt because I wanted to, and I was going to wear the pants. But I thought you guys were going to judge me. I was going to wear the hat too. But I thought you guys would judge me. I didn't want Mitch to judge me. So that's why I didn't wear the hats and the pants. But I should've wore it. You should be free to do and act how you want to act."

Golden State Warriors coach Mark Jackson:

"As a Christian man, I have beliefs of what's right and what's wrong. That being said, I know Jason Collins, I know his family ... and (I'm) certainly praying for them at this time."

ESPN.com's Tim Keown:

Is Collins a hero? To some, sure. But to almost everybody else, he's just a guy going about his life.

We were expecting a gasp, and in the end, we got a shrug.

And that's a good thing.

It's a big world out there. The insular world of major American men's sports just became a more complete part of it.

CBSsports.com's Gregg Doyel:

This is Jason Collins' life, and he's ready to live it in the open. More athletes will join him, because the world is changing. Hateful people like Dallas pastor Robert Jeffers, people who say gay men are going to hell, still have followers but their grasp on the world is slipping. Good doesn't always beat evil, but it's starting to win this battle. Jason Collins landed an enormous shot Monday. More will follow. Soon there will be so many publicly gay athletes that we won't write about it. It won't be news.

FoxSports.com' Bill Reiter:

This is a remarkable moment in America's struggle for equal rights, and an equally significant one in sports. Collins is the first active openly gay man in any of the major American team sports. This is no small thing, no trivial matter that should be dismissed because he is not a star.

After the initial burst of support, it is going to be important to remember that this is a seminal moment not because what he did is easy or easily done but because it will absolutely be very hard and, in ways big and small, alienating.

Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade, on Twitter:

"Jason Collins showed a lot of courage today and I respect him for taking a stand and choosing to live in his truth. #nbafamily"

Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, on Twitter:

"Proud of @jasoncollins34. Don't suffocate who u r because of the ignorance of others #courage #support #mambaarmystandup #BYOU"

Former U.S. national soccer team player Robbie Rogers, who came out as gay earlier this year, writing on Twitter:

"I feel a movement coming."

Detroit Lions cornerback Alphonso Smith, on Twitter:

"Ppl are so sensitive-I have the RIGHT to not give that behavior any applause;I love everyone-don't hate anyone; not praising it! Excuse me! ...

"I haven't judged one single soul... Just saying; those of you should consider not praising this act.. That's all! Gone for the day!"

Former tennis champion Martina Navratilova, who came out as gay during her playing career, writing for Sports Illustrated:

Now that Jason Collins has come out, he is the proverbial 'game-changer.' One of the last bastions of homophobia has been challenged. How many LGBT kids, once closeted, are now more likely to pursue a team sport and won't be scared away by a straight culture?

New York Mets third baseman David Wright:

"If you can play the game, I don't care the color of your skin, sexual orientation, religion. Come on in, welcome."

Jason Collins, on Twitter:

"All the support I have received today is truly inspirational. I knew that I was choosing the road less traveled but I'm not walking it alone"