There are some handsome retired NBA players who are Jehovah’s Witnesses, and this is what drew so much attention from countless NBA fans. In this article, we will discuss some of them and how their faith has influenced careers on and off the court. A group known as Jehovah’s Witnesses holds many unique beliefs such as refusing to take part in certain holidays, national events, and military service, focusing on their interpretation of Christianity.
What Are Jehovah’s Witnesses?
Okay, now that I have told you what Jehovah’s Witnesses are, let me tell you the players. Jehovah’s Witnesses is a form of Christianity that takes the Bible literally. They also place extreme importance on God’s name, which they believe is “Jehovah.” They focus their lives around the principles found in the Bible. One of their strongest beliefs is to keep out of politics altogether and do not celebrate the traditional holidays or birthdays.
Former NBA Players Who Are Jehovah’s Witnesses
Here are a few pretty notable ex-NBA players who are or have been Jehovah’s Witnesses:
Dewayne Dedmon
Dewayne Dedmon is perhaps the best example of one of the most famous NBA players who is a Jehovah’s Witness. He had played for many teams in the league, among them Miami Heat and Atlanta Hawks. What makes Dedmon’s story more unique is that his mother was also very devoted to the organization, not wanting him to play basketball when he was growing up. On average, they discourage professional athletes because of the level of competition, which counters their teachings.
But Dedmon was very passionate about basketball and chased his dream to play at the NBA level. Whereas, Faith continued to be a very strong marker of his life, and sometimes he shared experiences related to tensions in balancing religious beliefs with athlete life.
Danny Granger
Danny Granger, who played in the NBA, is another notable individual; he is a Jehovah’s Witness. Most of his career was spent with the Indiana Pacers, and he was an All-Star in his own right. Born in the home of Jehovah’s Witnesses, Danny has been very candid with the public and the media on what influence his religion had on his life.
Granger was largely subdued speaking about religion during his professional tenure in the NBA but openly stated that faith was an essential part of what helped him navigate difficult times in the playing game. Similar to Dedmon, Green had to reconcile his competitive playing experiences with those of the rest of the world and his personal faith as a Jehovah’s Witness.
A.C. Green
A.C. Green, another player for the Los Angeles Lakers through much of the 1980s during which most of the championships were won, also has strong connections to the Jehovah’s Witness faith. Although Green himself has been more vocal in terms of other Christian beliefs than Jehovah’s Witness, many accounts suggest that he was pretty heavily identified with Jehovah’s Witness during other periods of his career.
Known for his streak of playing consecutive games, 1,192, Green is greatly admired by the public for the discipline and excellent moral values he depicted. Faith became very important to him, and he was known as an honest man on and off the court.
The Role of Faith in Their Lives
To these athletes, faith as Jehovah’s Witnesses was not a lesser part of their lives. It was the very definition of who they were. Jehovah’s Witnesses live according to their perception of the word from the Bible. They are honest, and kind, and avoid things that represent the world to them, such as too much pride, greed, or competition.
This has made life in the NBA a little challenging for such players. For example, Jehovah’s Witnesses neither celebrate holidays nor birthdays, which could be a bit hard in a league where celebrations and special occasions have to take center stage within team culture. They usually abstain from activities involving politics, such as standing up for national anthems, which often draw public attention.
Yet most of these players have learned ways around those challenges while staying true to faith. They attribute religion to helping them keep focused, develop a sense of humbleness, and be grounded in the midst of many distractions.
How Their Faith Impacted Their Professional Careers
- Jehovah’s Witnesses advocate for a modest lifestyle, steering clear of excessive fame.
- This belief contributes to many NBA players maintaining low profiles.
- They prioritize their game over seeking attention.
- Their faith sometimes leads to difficult choices.
- Dewayne Dedmon faced a warning from his mother about basketball’s compatibility with their beliefs.
- Despite the warning, Dewayne chose to pursue basketball.
- This scenario highlights the unique challenges faced by Jehovah’s Witness athletes.
- Their commitment to faith can influence career decisions.
- Balancing sports and religious values can be complex.
- -The emphasis on humility shapes their public personas.
How They Balanced Faith and Sports
| Challenges | NBA Career | Faith |
| Living in Two Different Worlds | Jehovah’s Witnesses focus on a calm, spiritual life | The NBA environment is fast-paced and high-pressure |
| Religious Practices | Sticking to the Bible’s teachings and moral values | NBA often involves celebrations and national ceremonies |
| Public Opinion | Jehovah’s beliefs are often misunderstood | Players face criticism and attacks for their beliefs |
| Maintaining Values | Sticking to the Bible’s teachings and moral values | Players stay disciplined, humble, and committed to their career |
| Balancing Priorities | Faith encourages a simple life without worldly distractions | NBA demands fame, competition, and media attention |
| Handling Criticism | Faith teaches patience, humility, and resilience | Players withstand public scrutiny and maintain professionalism |
| Faith as a Source of Support | Religious beliefs provide strength during tough times | Players rely on their faith to navigate career challenges |
Conclusion
Lastly, a couple of ex-NBA players who happen to be or used to be Jehovah’s Witnesses. Among them are Dewayne Dedmon, Danny Granger, and A.C. Green. There are stories of how their religion accounted for a big part of their lives to keep them steady and focused in the demanding world of professional basketball. Though other challenges would appear in the NBA, for Jehovah’s Witnesses, these players took their faith into perspective with their careers, proving that one can, indeed, stay true to his or her beliefs even within the most competitive environments. Such stories inspire how faith guides and strengthens people against hardships.
