Jason Collins Honored With Arthur Ashe Award for Courage at 2026 ESPYs

The 2026 ESPY Awards honored the late NBA pioneer Jason Collins with the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage during a ceremony held Wednesday, July 15, at the David H. Koch Theater in New York City. Collins, who made history as the NBA’s first openly gay player, was recognized for his impact on LGBTQ+ visibility in professional sports and his public battle with stage IV glioblastoma, which claimed his life in May 2026 at age 47.

A Legacy of Visibility and Advocacy

The award was presented by Good Morning America’s Robin Roberts, highlighting Collins’ impact on the LGBTQ+ community. Collins’ twin brother, Jarron Collins, accepted the honor on his behalf. During his remarks, Jarron emphasized his brother’s commitment to transparency, noting that Jason was willing to share his experience, treatment and plans with the hope that others could benefit.

“I pledge to make sure that tonight is not the end of my brother’s legacy — it’s just the beginning,” Jarron said during the ceremony. “There are so many more people who can benefit from hearing his story.”

The presentation included a poignant video tribute featuring Collins’ husband, Brunson Green, who spoke about the couple’s experience following the diagnosis. Green recalled Jason’s determination to fight the disease, noting that even while researching the gravity of glioblastoma, Collins wanted to see how long he could sustain his life because it might actually help other people.

The Battle Against Glioblastoma

Jason Collins first announced his stage IV glioblastoma diagnosis in December 2025. In an interview with ESPN at the time, he characterized the aggressive brain cancer as “extraordinary for all the wrong reasons,” describing the tumor’s growth as a “monster with tentacles.”

Following his death on May 12, 2026, the family confirmed in a statement to the NBA that he had died after a “valiant fight.” Subsequent reporting confirmed that his death was caused by respiratory failure, with complications from a blood clot, fluid buildup in the brain, and the cancer itself contributing to his passing.

Impact Beyond the Basketball Court

Collins made national headlines in 2013 when he came out publicly as the first active gay basketball player. Reflecting on that period during his final months, Collins expressed that the past 12 years since have been the best of his life. He applied that same philosophy to his cancer journey, hoping that his public struggle would provide comfort or guidance to those he would never meet.

“Your life is so much better when you just show up as your true self, unafraid to be your true self, in public or private,” Collins said in late 2025. “If I can do that again now, then that matters.”

Key Facts About the Arthur Ashe Award

• Purpose: The award is given to an individual who has made a difference off the field by standing up for their beliefs.
• Recognition: The ESPYs recognized Collins for his impact on LGBTQ+ visibility in professional sports.
• Family Representation: Jarron Collins formally accepted the award on July 15, 2026.