The Boston Red Sox marked Pride Night at Fenway Park against the Toronto Blue Jays by bringing out Jason Collins’ twin brother, Jarron Collins, to throw the ceremonial first pitch in memory of Jason Collins, who died last month at 47 after battling brain cance
At Fenway Park on Tuesday, the Pride Night ceremonies carried a weight that went beyond the usual pregame routine. Before the Boston Red Sox took on the Toronto Blue Jays. the team paid tribute to Jason Collins—one of the most visible courage stories in professional sports—who died last month due to brain cancer at the age of 47.
Collins came out as gay in 2013, a moment that made history across major league sports. That year, he was the first active male athlete from the NBA, MLB, NFL, and NHL to do so. The Red Sox celebrated their first Pride Night in 2013 as well. and Collins threw the ceremonial first pitch to honor that courageous act.
This time, the role returned through family. On Tuesday, the Red Sox brought out Collins’ twin brother, Jarron Collins, to throw the same kind of ceremonial pitch. He did it while wearing the exact jersey his late brother wore in 2013—an effort that turned a one-day celebration into a clear. personal continuation of what Fenway marked twelve years ago.
The Collins family’s journey to this moment has been marked by public updates, struggle, and determination. In September, they announced that Jason was receiving treatment for brain cancer. In 2025, he revealed that he had been diagnosed with stage 4 glioblastoma, described as the most aggressive type of brain cancer.
Collins’ own words show the mindset he tried to hold onto even as he faced something far larger than sport. In an essay for ESPN, he wrote: “As an athlete, you learn not to panic in moments like this. These are the cards I’ve been dealt. To me, it’s like, ‘Shut up and go play against Shaq.’ You want the challenge?. This is the challenge. And there is no bigger challenge in basketball than going up against prime Shaquille O’Neal, and I’ve done that.”.
His career was already a reminder that barriers could be broken in plain view. Collins played 13 years in the NBA. Aside from the Boston Celtics. he suited up for the New Jersey Nets. the Memphis Grizzlies. the Minnesota Timberwolves. the Atlanta Hawks. and the Washington Wizards. Career averages listed for Collins are 3.6 points and 3.7 rebounds. He played 32 games for the Celtics in 2012-2013 before being shipped to the Wizards in a midseason trade.
Jarron Collins also made his own path in the NBA, suiting up for four teams during an 11-year career. On Tuesday, he wasn’t just stepping into a ceremonial role. He was stepping into the symbolism his twin brother helped create—then carrying it forward with a jersey that tied the present to 2013.
The Pride Night atmosphere at Fenway was built for celebration. But in the stillness before the pitch. it felt less like performance and more like remembrance: a tribute to a player who made himself visible first. and whose legacy still gets carried—one jersey. one first pitch. one family heartbeat at a time.
Boston Red Sox Fenway Park Pride Night Toronto Blue Jays Jason Collins Jarron Collins ceremonial first pitch brain cancer glioblastoma Pride
Respect, I guess.
Is this the same Jason Collins from basketball? I saw something about Pride Night and thought it was just like, decorations. Kinda sad though, brain cancer at 47 is brutal.
Not gonna lie, the first pitch jersey thing is kinda sweet, but also it makes me think they’re like exploiting the tragedy? Like wearing his exact jersey… I don’t know. Also glioblastoma sounds made up.
Wait so his twin brother threw the pitch but like… Red Sox celebrated their first Pride Night in 2013 too right? That part confuses me, because Collins came out in 2013 and then now he died last month, so they’re doing it again 12 years later? Good for the team I guess, but I didn’t realize he was NBA AND MLB AND NFL AND NHL?? That seems impossible, unless I’m mixing him up with someone else.