Jason Collins recently made history as being the first active athlete in any of America’s four major sports leagues to acknowledge that he’s gay. Collins came out in the May 6, 2013 issue of Sports Illustrated.

“I’m a 34-year-old NBA center. I’m black. And I’m gay,” says Collins in the magazine. Collins hopes he may have made the path easier for others to follow.

Former Steelers receiver and NBC analyst Hines Ward said Tuesday on ESPN.com that he doesn’t think the NFL is ready. Ward also said he hopes some player has the courage one day however, and added that that person would have his support.