Openly gay NBA player Jason Collins has finally found a new team to call home. The Brooklyn Nets and Collins have agreed to a 10-day-contract. The 7-foot-tall Northridge, Calif. native has previously been a free agent.

Collins has been known as a reliable bench player throughout his career. His blue-collar work meant that the center was able to hang around the NBA a lot longer than most. With this signing, Collins not only becomes the first openly gay player on an Active Roster in a major American sport, but it signals his return to the team that drafted him. From 2001-2008 he played for the then-named New Jersey Nets.

The historic signing ends nearly a year's-worth of speculation about the center's future. Since announcing that he was gay in a Sports Illustrated article on April 29 of last year, Collins had yet to suit up for a team. Without this Brooklyn Nets signing no one would have ever truly known if Collins's advanced age of 35 years precluded him from playing anymore pro ball or if his sexual orientation had gotten in the way. Now the only question is this: how well will he play once back out on the court?

Collins's twin brother Jarron also played in the association but, unlike their Stanford Cardinal days, didn't wind up on the same team. He's now retired, but nevertheless tweeted out a message of support for his brother on Sunday.

"Hope everyone is enjoying their Sunday. Today should be a pretty cool day!"

Indeed, today is a cool day. But eventually days like today will be minor news. Athletes like Jason Collins and NFL Draft prospect Michael Sam deserve to play if they have the work ethic and talent level. They clearly do and now the next wait begins. When will a gay hockey or baseball player follow in their footsteps and come out?

Do you think Jason Collins's signing is beneficial to the Brooklyn Nets? Or do you think this deal was a publicity move solely meant to sell tickets? Let us know in the comments section below.