Jason Collins: I Didn't Set Out to Be the First

Just hours after the Sports Illustrated cover featuring Jason Collins and his announcement that he is gay, he said he didn't know any other gay NBA players but never set out to be the first openly gay male professional team-sports athlete.

"You're sort of waiting around for somebody else to, you know, raise their hand," he told Good Morning America's George Stephanopoulos. "I'm ready to raise my hand but, you still look around like, 'OK, come on, guys.'"

Collins said he did not want to come out initially, not because he was in denial about his sexuality as an adult, but because he felt an obligation to his teammates not to make waves that might distract them.

"You don't want to be that distraction, because for me it's always been about the team, but I think -- I know that in my personal life, I'm ready, and the country is ready for supporting an openly gay basketball player."