Jarron Collins stood on the ESPYS stage carrying an award that belonged to his twin brother, but also a responsibility much larger than any trophy.
Accepting the 2026 Arthur Ashe Award for Courage on behalf of the late Jason Collins, Jarron delivered an emotional tribute to the man who changed professional sports by choosing to live openly and honestly.
“The courage he showed, and the way he moved in this world, truly made him a trailblazer,” Jarron said.
“The courage he showed, and the way he moved in this world, truly made him a trailblazer.”
Jarron Collins accepts the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage on behalf of his brother Jason Collins for Jason’s impact on LGBTQ+ visibility in pro sports. pic.twitter.com/p7Wri8aKGy
— ESPN (@espn) July 16, 2026
Jason Collins became the first openly gay active player in one of the four major North American men’s professional sports leagues when he came out publicly in 2013. It was a landmark moment that extended far beyond basketball, giving LGBTQ+ athletes greater visibility in an industry where many had long felt pressure to hide who they were.
The significance of his decision was not simply that he made an announcement. Collins returned to the NBA afterward, appearing for the Brooklyn Nets and showing that being openly gay did not have to end a professional athlete’s career or change his place inside a locker room.
That may sound obvious now. It did not feel obvious in 2013.
Collins understood that his decision would place him under enormous public scrutiny. He also knew that younger athletes were watching. By stepping forward, he became the person many of them had never been able to see at the highest level of American team sports.
The award carried additional emotion because Jason died in May 2026 at age 47 following a battle with glioblastoma. Jarron’s acceptance speech therefore celebrated both his brother’s public courage and the personal strength he showed during the final chapter of his life.
Jarron also recognized Jason’s husband, Brunson Green, along with the teammates, friends and supporters who stood beside him. But the most powerful parts of the speech came from the perspective only a twin brother could provide. The world knew Jason as an NBA veteran and historic LGBTQ+ figure. Jarron knew the full person behind the milestone.
The Arthur Ashe Award honors members of the sports world whose courage creates an impact beyond competition. Jason Collins represented that idea perfectly. His career statistics were never the most important part of his legacy. The real achievement was making the path slightly less frightening for every athlete who came after him.
