ESPN: Regrets Broussard comment on gay NBA player

4/30/2013

NEW YORK — ESPN says it regrets that one of its reporters described Jason Collins as a sinner after the NBA center publicly revealed he is gay.

Chris Broussard, who covers the NBA, said on the air Monday that Collins was “walking in open rebellion to God” by living as a gay man.

In an article in Sports Illustrated, Collins became the first male athlete in one of the country’s four major sports to come out as gay.

ESPN’s Josh Krulewitz said the network regrets that a discussion of personal viewpoints became a distraction. He said the network was “fully committed to diversity” and welcomed Collins’ announcement.

Broussard today praised Collins’ bravery and said he had no objection to him playing in the NBA.