State of the Union: Jason Collins, Boston Marathon bombing survivors will attend

Boston bombing survivors Jeff Bauman (left) and Carlos Arredondo will attend the State of the Union. (Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

Two survivors of the Boston Marathon bombing and openly gay NBA player Jason Collins will attend Tuesday's State of the Union address as guests of Michelle Obama.

The White House announced Monday that Collins, Jeff Bauman and Carlos Arredondo would be among those sitting in the first lady's box during President Obama's address.

A free agent who has played 12 seasons in the NBA, Collins became the first openly gay male athlete still active in major American professional sports when he came out in a first-person account in Sports Illustratedlast year.

Meanwhile, Arredondo and Bauman gained notoriety in the aftermath of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing, as a photo captured Arredondo carrying an injured Bauman to safety.

PRICE: Chaos, fear filled the Boston air after the explosions

The First Lady's guests have traditionally been used to underscore certain aspects of the president's speech. From POLITICO:

The guests who join the first lady often help illustrate key points the president makes in his speech. President Barack Obama’s guests last year included family members of the victims of the Newtown, Conn., school shooting as he demanded that Congress vote on tougher gun laws.

President Obama will deliver his State of the Union address Tuesday at 9 p.m. EST.

SI VAULT: Boston Stands As One