Jason Collins Tributes Slain Gay Student with No. 98 with Nets
On Wednesday, America‘s first gay NBA player Jason Collins will begin his stint with the Brooklyn Nets wearing No. 98 on his back to tribute slain gay college student Matthew Shepard.
CelebNMusic247.com has learned that Jason Collins plans to wear No. 98 starting Wednesday against the Trail Blazers, a tribute to Matthew Shepard, who was killed because he was gay.
In 1998, he suffered from a brutal beating, torture and then left to die hanging on a fence. His death changed the way the criminal system looks at hate crimes. His mother, Judy Shepard said the conviction of two men developed into a “watershed moment for the gay community,”and a “wakeup call” to the rest of America that led to changes in hate crime legislation.
The Nets also will be in Denver on Thursday for their game against the Nuggets which Judy Shepard will be there with a warm welcome for Jason Collins if they cross paths. Jason Collins No. 98 will tribute her sons memory of life after being brutally murdered in a gay hate crime 16 years ago.
She explains:
“I’m just happy for him. It’s wonderful that he’s playing again. I’d tell him thank you and give him a big hug. I have not met him but everyone I know that has has said he’s a gentleman, kind and generous. I’d like very much to thank him and congratulate him.”
CelebNMusic247.com supports Jason Collins with No. 98, becuase his number choice speak LOUD for LGBT community and all American’s to be more tollerant of one another. Related articles
- Collins to wear No. 98 as tribute to slain gay college student (nydailynews.com)
- Rush Limbaugh Implies Matthew Shepard’s Death Wasn’t A Hate Crime In Broadcast (huffingtonpost.com)
- Jason Collins Jerseys are in Very High Demand (extramustard.si.com)
- Jason Collins to Wear #98 With Nets in Tribute to Matthew Shepard (thegatewaypundit.com)
- Collins jerseys available after high demand (espn.go.com)
