John Amaechi — an NBA center who spent five seasons with four teams, including the Utah Jazz — is the sixth professional male athlete from one of the four major American sports (NBA, MLB, NFL and NHL) to publicly discuss his homosexuality.

Former NFL running back David Kopay came out in 1977, and offensive lineman Roy Simmons and defensive lineman Esera Tuaolo came out more recently. Glenn Burke, an outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Oakland A's in the 1970s, and Billy Bean, a utility player in the 1980s and 1990s, also have come out.

— Associated Press