Image Credit: grok AI 
Jaden Ivey, a former player for the NBA’s Chicago Bulls, was let go by the team on Monday after he criticized the league’s Pride Month celebrations as “unrighteousness,” according to his Christian faith.
In a video posted to social media, Ivey said, “They proclaim Pride Month in the NBA. They proclaim it. They show it to the world. They say come join us for pride, for Pride month, to celebrate unrighteousness… They proclaim it on the billboards, they proclaim it on the streets, unrighteousness.”
“So, how is it that one can’t speak righteousness? How are they to say that this man is crazy?” he asked.
The Chicago Bulls announced in a Monday statement that “the team has waived guard Jaden Ivey due to conduct detrimental to the team.”
In another video, Ivey explained how his life was changed after being humbled by God, saying he used to excessively drink, have sex and watch pornography before finding Jesus.
Responding to being released by the Bulls, Ivey said, “They said my conduct is detrimental to the team, right? Why didn’t they just say, ‘We don’t agree with his stance on LGBTQ.’ Why didn’t they say that? How is it conduct detrimental to the team? What did I do to the team? What did I do to the players? I did nothing but practice with them, play with them, pass the ball to them, good teammate to them…”
“How is it that they say I’m detrimental to the team? How? Because I believe in the truth? Because I know Jesus is the way, the truth and the life? This is not about me, this is about the kingdom of God,” he added.
Ivey’s ex-teammate on the Chicago Bulls, Patrick Williams, defended him, stating, “I stand with Jaden Ivey on everything he said. If they cut him, they might as well cut me too.”
Popular up-and-coming NFL player TreVeyon Henderson, a running back for the New England Patriots, quoted a bible verse in response to Ivey’s release, writing, “’Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.’ Matthew 5:10.”
Henderson also posted, “The world said this about Jesus. Some said, ‘He’s demon possessed and out of his mind. Why listen to a man like that?’ John 10:20. God The Father said this to Jesus. ‘Then a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, ‘This is my dearly loved Son. Listen to him.’ Mark 9:7. Jesus reminds us as His Followers ‘—If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more will they call those of his household!’ Matthew 10:25 The world calls us crazy, but God calls us Sons and Daughters.”
New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel was asked about Henderson’s social media posts, saying, “I love TreVeyon. He cares deeply about our team, he cared deeply about his faith, he cared deeply about his family, his wife, the people in our building, and so, I want them to be able to express what they believe in their heart and in their mind. But, I also wanna make sure that they’re educated and we want to be inclusive. Everything that we want to do wants to provide an environment for people to feel comfortable, but also to share their personal beliefs. And, then also we represent the team and we represent the organization.”
Los Angeles Lakers player Jake LaRavia posted, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. – John 14:6,” amid the Ivey controversy.
Both current and former NFL players Dez Bryant, Juanyeh Thomas, Kam Curl, Azareye’h Thomas, Blake Ferguson, Tucker Kraft and Damien Lewis voiced support for Ivey online.
Former college swimmer Riley Gaines chimed in, writing, “We live in a world that hates Christ and those who believe in Him, but that’s to be expected. Just as He was persecuted, so will we be. Consider me a Jaden Ivey fan.”
Of course, not everyone in the sports world was receptive of Ivey’s criticism of NBA Pride Month, with former NFL player and Fox Sports analyst Emmanuel Acho saying, “freedom of speech does not mean freedom of consequence.”
Acho also suggested Ivey is having “mental health” issues, a dangerous accusation that suggests people proudly declaring their faith are not mentally well.
Responding to a video where Ivey claimed NBA superstar Steph Curry isn’t a real Christian, Acho wrote, “This isn’t evangelism. This isn’t discipleship. This is dangerous.”
Jaden Ivey is on an airplane yelling that “Steph Curry doesn’t know Jesus.”
— Emmanuel Acho (@EmmanuelAcho) March 31, 2026
This isn’t evangelism. This isn’t discipleship. This is dangerous. https://t.co/qeRr81xJvY pic.twitter.com/EBmziplkVC
Fox Sports radio host Colin Cowherd echoed a similar sentiment to Acho, saying, “You are always entitled to your own opinion. But you’re never entitled, especially if you’re not productive or you’re disappointing, to disrupt the workspace.”
Sports writer and The Atlantic contributor Jamele Hill alleged Ivey is not being persecuted because he’s Christian, arguing that other outspoken players are still playing.
“The people rallying behind Jaden Ivey claiming he’s being persecuted must have forgotten about the Orlando Magic’s Jonathan Isaac, who is anti-BLM, didn’t stand for the national anthem when his teammates took a knee, developed a clothing line that he said was an alternative to ‘woke’ companies like Nike (his words), publicly criticized the White House under Joe Biden for Transgender Visibility Day and even spoke at Charlie Kirk’s Believer’ Summit. Still cashing NBA checks,” she wrote.
“The point is that people are acting like Jaden Ivy [Ivey] is being persecuted because he’s a Christian. Isaac has been extremely outspoken and become a darling in right wing circles. Like I said, ain’t missed a NBA check yet,” she added in another post.
While the Orlando Magic have allowed Isaac to speak his mind, the Bulls clearly stated they let Ivey go because of his “conduct.”
Former NBA player Nick Young suggested Ivey is being punished because he said the NBA’s “golden child Steph Curry” is not a Christian.
This ordeal has ignited a national discussion about Christians boldly voicing their religious beliefs.
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