Well now, y’all ever heard of these fellas who play that big ol’ basketball game? They run up and down the court, throwing that ball in the hoop like it’s their job. Some of ‘em, though, don’t just play ball, they got something else mighty important to ’em too. I’m talkin’ about folks who follow Jehovah’s Witnesses, y’know, the ones who got faith in a way that’s different from most folks. You might not think it, but there’s been a few of them big-time players in the NBA who follow that faith.
Now, you may have heard of Danny Granger. He used to be one of them Indiana Pacers, runnin’ around on that court, shooting them threes and makin’ all sorts of plays. But what a lot of folks don’t know is that Danny, well, he’s a Jehovah’s Witness. I reckon he didn’t just retire from basketball ’cause his body was tired, but also ‘cause his faith pulled him in another direction. You see, as a Jehovah’s Witness, you gotta make choices that line up with your beliefs. Some folks might say that basketball and religion don’t mix, but Danny found a way to make it work for him.
Then there’s Darren Collison. He played with a lotta teams, like the Pacers, the Kings, and even the Mavericks and New Orleans. He was out there on the court for years, but after a solid career, Darren decided to step away. And just like Danny, he said his faith had a big part to play in that. He’s another one of them Jehovah’s Witnesses who made that choice to focus on what matters to him in the long run, rather than just keep chasin’ after points and contracts.
Now, don’t go thinkin’ it’s just them two. There’s also Dewayne Dedmon, who’s out there with the Miami Heat right now. He’s another player who’s part of that same faith. Dewayne’s story is a bit different, but he’s been open about how his religion shapes his life, both on and off the court. See, when you’re part of Jehovah’s Witnesses, it’s not just about your Sunday services. It’s about how you live your life day in and day out. And that can make a big difference when you’re playin’ in a world as fast and loud as the NBA.
But now, you might be thinkin’, “How many players are we talkin’ about here?” Well, it’s not just them three I mentioned. There’s been others too, like Reggie Theus and Thurl Bailey. Those names might not ring a bell for some folks, but they were big in their day. And they all followed the same faith, even when they were out there playin’ ball for a living.
One thing that’s important to know is that being a Jehovah’s Witness means you gotta live by a set of rules that ain’t always easy. You can’t just do whatever you feel like, like some of them other folks who play in the NBA. You gotta be mindful of your actions, and that includes stuff like holidays and celebrations. You see, Jehovah’s Witnesses don’t celebrate birthdays, holidays, or certain big public events like that. For a lot of these basketball players, that means turnin’ down the glitz and glamour of all them parties and celebrations that come with being a star athlete.
And it ain’t just about the holidays, neither. When you’re a Jehovah’s Witness, you’re also asked to be mindful of the kind of entertainment you take in. Now, I don’t know if that means no loud music or none of them flashy parties for these basketball stars, but I do know it means their faith comes first, and that’s somethin’ they hold dear. If you ask ‘em about their decision to leave the NBA or why they’re takin’ a break, they’re likely to tell ya it’s not just ‘bout the game. It’s about their belief and how they want to live their life. It ain’t easy, but it’s the way they believe they’re supposed to go about things.
You see, whether they’re slammin’ dunks or just sittin’ in the stands, these players who follow Jehovah’s Witnesses have to make choices that keep ‘em true to their faith. And it ain’t always simple, not with the pressure and the spotlight that comes with bein’ in the NBA. But for them, that’s what matters. Their religion ain’t somethin’ they hide, and it ain’t somethin’ they take lightly. It’s a part of who they are, and it shapes everything they do—from the way they play basketball to how they carry themselves off the court.
Now, you may be wonderin’, why would a fella like Danny Granger or Darren Collison walk away from the game? Well, like I said, their faith is a big part of that. It ain’t always easy to balance your career with your beliefs, especially when you’re playin’ a sport that’s as demanding as basketball. But for these fellas, their faith came first. And when you believe in something as strong as they do, it’s hard to ignore it just for the sake of fame or money. They chose a different path, and that’s somethin’ worth respectin’.
So, next time you watch a basketball game or hear about these fellas, remember they’re more than just athletes. They’re people with beliefs, and those beliefs shape their lives in ways you might not always see. But if you take a moment to think about it, maybe you’ll understand why they make the choices they do. It ain’t always easy, but it sure is somethin’ to be proud of.
Tags：[NBA, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Danny Granger, Darren Collison, Dewayne Dedmon, Reggie Theus, Thurl Bailey, NBA players faith, basketball and religion, Jehovah’s Witnesses athletes]
