Jason Collins was honored with the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage at the 2026 ESPY Awards on Wednesday, July 15, inside the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center in New York City. The NBA’s first openly gay player, who died in May at age 47 from glioblastoma, was recognized for his impact on LGBTQ+ visibility in professional sports.
Jarron Collins, Jason’s twin brother, accepted the award on his behalf with an emotional tribute. “I miss my brother. I wish he was here standing to accept this award,” Jarron said. He described Jason as “the bravest and strongest man I’ve ever known” and called him a “trailblazer” who lived with authenticity and grace.
Jason’s husband, Brunson Green, spoke in a video package about his husband’s fight with cancer. “When he first got diagnosed, he was scrolling Wikipedia about glioblastoma, and basically it’s a death sentence,” Green recalled. “He wanted to fight it and see how long he could sustain his life because it might actually help other people”.
Jarron pledged to continue his brother’s mission: “When Jason was diagnosed with glioblastoma, he was willing to share his experience, his treatment and his plans with the hope that if not for him, then for others. I pledge to make sure that tonight is not the end of my brother’s legacy, it’s just the beginning”. Collins came out in a 2013 Sports Illustrated essay and played 13 NBA seasons.
