Jarron Collins says Jason’s ESPYs tribute left family humbled
Jason Collins was honored with the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage after his death, with twin brother Jarron accepting at the 2026 ESPYs.
By Georgia Hale · Staff Writer
2 min read
Jason Collins’ name took center stage at the 2026 ESPYs, where the late NBA pioneer was honored with the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage just months after his death.
His twin brother, former NBA player Jarron Collins, accepted the award on his behalf at Wednesday’s ceremony. Speaking afterward to TMZ Sports, Jarron said the recognition was a powerful moment for the family.
Jason died on May 12 after battling an aggressive form of brain cancer, according to TMZ Sports. He was remembered at the ESPYs for his role in sports history, including becoming the first openly gay active player in major professional sports.
The ceremony included a video tribute that revisited Jason’s 2013 announcement and later turned to his health fight and the mark he left on the NBA, TMZ Sports reported.
Jarron told TMZ Sports the honor carried extra meaning because of Jason’s affection for tennis and for Arthur Ashe, the tennis great whose name is attached to the ESPYs courage award.
“We’re humbled,” Jarron said, according to TMZ Sports, “but also, like I said, very appreciative of my brother’s life being recognized.”
The Arthur Ashe Award for Courage is one of the ESPYs’ signature honors. In Jason’s case, the tribute focused on both his public impact as a trailblazing athlete and his personal fight with illness, according to TMZ Sports.
Jarron also gave an emotional speech during the ceremony, where he spoke about carrying Jason’s legacy and helping his impact continue, TMZ Sports reported.
The loss is still fresh for the Collins family. Jarron told TMZ Sports they are “doing OK,” while adding that they remain in the middle of grieving and processing Jason’s death.
Jason’s passing was felt across the league. TMZ Sports reported that NBA teams held a moment of silence after his death to honor him.
Both Collins brothers played in the NBA, and Jason’s public announcement in 2013 became a landmark moment in American pro sports. The ESPYs tribute placed that moment alongside his later health battle, framing the award as a recognition of the life he lived and the barriers he broke.
For Jarron, the night was less about the spotlight and more about seeing his brother’s story remembered on a national stage. As he told TMZ Sports, the family was grateful that Jason’s life and work were being recognized.
This story draws on original reporting from TMZ.