Jay Williams 'Infuriated' With Headline About Jason Collins' Death

ESPN analyst Jay Williams made it known that he's not happy with the way certain outlets have covered the death of Jason Collins.

Collins played in the NBA for 13 years, suiting up for the Nets, Grizzlies, Timberwolves, Hawks, Celtics and Wizards. The former first-round pick from Stanford averaged 3.6 points and 3.7 rebounds per game. In 2013, he became the first publicly gay athlete to compete in one of the major American sports leagues.

On Tuesday night, the NBA confirmed that Collins passed away after a battle with Stage 4 glioblastoma. One of the headlines regarding this news read: "Jason Collins, NBA's first openly gay player, dies of brain cancer at 47."

Williams was made aware of that headline on Thursday morning. Let's just say he wasn't thrilled about it.

"This infuriates me. Jason passes away at 47 and somehow the headline still feels the need to reduce him to a label before acknowledging his humanity," Williams wrote on the platform formerly known as Twitter. "He was a human being, teammate, brother and a person people loved. Headlines today are built for clicks 1st and compassion 2nd."

Some NBA fans share the same complaint as Williams, while others believe there was nothing wrong with this headline.

NBA pays tribute to Jason Collins.

After Collins passed away Tuesday night, NBA commissioner Adam Silver released a heartfelt statement.

"Jason Collins' impact and influence extended far beyond basketball as he helped make the NBA, WNBA and larger sports community more inclusive and welcoming for future generations. He exemplified outstanding leadership and professionalism throughout his 13-year NBA career and in his dedicated work as an NBA Cares Ambassador," Silver said. "Jason will be remembered not only for breaking barriers, but also for the kindness and humanity that defined his life and touched so many others."

The NBA also said Collins was an "inspiration to all who knew him and to those who admired him from afar."

May he rest in peace.

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This story was originally published May 14, 2026 at 7:09 AM.