Some Comments,Tweets and Stories by Jason Collins Friends

Only one prominent critic has emerged, an ESPN sports writer who says Collins announcing his homosexuality amounts to 'open rebellion against God and Jesus Christ.'

Collins told ABC News that being the first athlete in a major team sport to come out is 'mind-boggling.' 

'You're sort of waiting around for somebody else to … raise their hand,' he said. 'I'm ready to raise my hand but, you know, you still look around like, "OK, come on, guys." It's time for someone else in the room to raise their hand and say, "You know what? Yeah, so big deal. I can still play basketball. I can still help the team win, and that's what's most important,"' he told George Stephanopoulos. 

White House spokesman Jay Carney released a statement from President Barack Obama that praised Collins. 

'We view that as another example of the progress that has been made and the evolution that has been taking place in this country and commend him for his courage and support him.'

First Lady Michelle Obama also tweeted her support.

NBA Commissioner David Stern threw his support behind Collins, saying: '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.'

Even former President Bill Clinton weighed in, saying that he met Collins when he and Chelsea Clinton attended Standford together. He tweeted: 'Proud to call Jason Collins a friend.'

Friends in high places: Many public figures, including the First Lady and former NBA star John Amaechi - who came out as gay after he left the league - offered their support

Symbolic: Collins said the reason he chose the number 98 was to honor Matthew Shepard, the gay teen who was killed in a hate crime in 1998

Los Angeles Laker star Kobe Bryant tweeted: 'Proud of @jasoncollins34. Don't suffocate who u r because of the ignorance of others #courage #support #mambaarmystandup #BYOU.'

Washington Wizards teammate John Wall wrote: 'I am proud of my brother @jasoncollins34. Great teammate and mentor!'

Stars from football and baseball also weighed in supporting him. 

Despite the support, he had one notable detractor - ESPN reporter Chris Broussard, who has long taken a stand as a conservative Christian who opposes any sex outside of marriage. 

'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 believe that's walking in open rebellion to God and to Jesus Christ,' he told ESPN.

Later ESPN released a statement distancing itself from Broussard's comments.

'We regret that a respectful discussion of personal viewpoints became a distraction from today's news. ESPN is fully committed to diversity and welcomes Jason Collins' announcement,' the network said.

Others, mostly anonymous Twitter users, launched barrages of anti-gay slurs at Collins and taunts like 'God hates gays.'

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Mike Wallace posted a tweet that he later removed that read: 'All these beautiful women in the world and guys wanna mess with other guys.'

He later posted a message: 'I'm not bashing anybody.'

The NFL said it was reviewing the comment. 

Broussard said athletes and sports fans who oppose homosexuality shouldn't be branded bigots for their beliefs. 

That point drew support from former NBA great Charles Barkley, though Barkley told CNN he personally supports Collins announcement.

'We've all played with gay guys,' Barkley said, noting that numerous players stayed in the closet during their careers. 

The 34-year-old Washington Wizards player, who will be who will be a free agent in July, wrote come out in a in first person essay, telling his own thoughts and explaining his decision to be the first professional athlete to announce he is gay still playing in a major sports league. 

Critic: ESPN reporter Chris Broussard, who describes himself as a conservative Christian, said Collins' announcement meant he was living in sin

Warm reception: Stars of the NBA, past and present, came out in support of Collins, as well

'I didn't set out to be the first openly gay athlete playing in a major American team sport. But since I am, I'm happy to start the conversation. I wish I wasn't the kid in the classroom raising his hand and saying, "I'm different." If I had my way, someone else would have already done this. Nobody has, which is why I'm raising my hand,' he wrote.

Collins explains that his homosexuality is something he has known since he was a teenager, but he never felt comfortable revealing it to friends or teammates until just recently. 

One of his biggest motivations has apparently been timing. 

World events-  like the end of Don't Ask, Don't Tell and the Supreme Court's debate over same sex marriage - have helped push him to the point where he no longer wanted to hide his personal life from those around him. 

More recently, he said that the bombings at the Boston Marathon showed him that there is no way to predict what happens in the future, and there is no sense in waiting. 

'I've reached that enviable state in life in which I can do pretty much what I want. And what I want is to continue to play basketball. I still love the game, and I still have something to offer. My coaches and teammates recognize that. At the same time, I want to be genuine and authentic and truthful,' he wrote. 

He said that the people around him have been a source of support as he expands the once-tight-knit circle of those who knew about his homosexuality.