Ryan Glasspiegel
Videos by OutKick
Jonathan Isaac, a forward on the Orlando Magic, stood for the national anthem and did not wear a Black Lives Matter t-shirt for today’s game against the Brooklyn Nets. He was the first NBA player in the bubble to do so. After the game, he was asked about that and answered:
Jonathan Isaac became the first #NBA player inside the bubble to stand during the national anthem. He also chose not to wear a #BlackLivesMatter shirt
After the game the first question he fielded was "Do you believe Black Lives Matter?"
He responded: "Absolutely."
Full answer: pic.twitter.com/SNBVar7pg7
— Daren Stoltzfus (@DarenStoltzfus) July 31, 2020
“Absolutely [I believe] that Black lives matter,” Isaac said. “A lot went into my decision and part of it is my thought that kneeling or wearing a black lives matter t-shirt don’t go hand in hand with supporting black lives.”
“My life has been supported by the gospel of Jesus Christ,” Isaac continued. “Everyone is made in the image of God and we all share in His glory. Each and everyone of us each and every day do things we shouldn’t do. We say things we shouldn’t say. We hate and dislike people that we shouldn’t hate and dislike. And sometimes it gets to the point where we point fingers about whose evil is worse, and sometimes it comes down to simply whose evil is most visible. I felt like I wanted just take a stand on — I felt like we all make mistakes but I think the gospel of Jesus Christ is that there’s grace for us. And that Jesus came and died for our sins. And that we all will come to an understanding of that and that God wants to have a relationship with us.”
Isaac concluded that he believes the gospel is what will get us past not just racism but the rest that plagues us as a society.
Tim Reynolds of the AP further elaborated on Isaac:
Jonathan Isaac is an ordained minister, someone who gave money to make sure kids got fed when COVID closed schools, led a drive to support Hurricane Dorian victims and donates to Central Florida literacy programs.
And as he stood during the anthem today, he prayed.
— Tim Reynolds (@ByTimReynolds) July 31, 2020
Earlier this week, Steelers defensive end Stephon Tuitt explained why he’d stand for the national anthem. Prior to that Giants relief pitcher Sam Coonrod had a similar rationale to Jonathan Isaac — that he did not believe kneeling was in line with his Christian faith.
this should be the real movement
Give it some time, the shamefest that the left is using to force people to kneel for them is going to backfire. We’re going to see who the real men of character are this year.
That is my hope in being here-to find the people of character in the sports that I fell in love with.
Thank you for correcting me (although I know you didn’t intend it that way). As soon as I pressed post I wanted to change it to “people” of Character. Women such as Rachel Hill and Samantha Leshnak-Murphy are proudly standing up for American values as well.
Jonathan Isaac is a class act.
I love the fact that he used this as an opportunity to share the Gospel with an audience tuned in to why he did what he did. Bravo to this guy.
Jonathan Isaac, thank you for your courage! The world needs more leaders like yourself!
He’s my brother in Christ, and I’m proud of it!
Taylor Rooks is the idiot who asked this idiotic question. Kudos to Mr. Issac for not taking the bait and being gracious in his answer. He is a wonderful human being. Of course, she’ll probably be feted for such a probing question while he’ll be vilified and ridiculed for his beliefs.
OMG — Jonathan Isaac is getting vilified on Twitter for STANDING for the national anthem. This supports the belief of renowned African-American economics professor Walter Williams that we are moving toward a totalitarian nation. Read his article on how black-on-crime is the REAL threat is to the black community:
https://triblive.com/opinion/walter-williams-is-racism-responsible-for-todays-black-problems/
I enjoyed the Walter E Williams article just a few minutes ago, great stuff. Nothing new for us students of Dr. Sowell but great to see the message reach a broader audience.
Btw – the fact that Twitter is vilifying him tells you everything you need to know. As the brilliant Detective John Luther said “The number one rule of social media is – Don’t do it”.
Jonathan Isaac has my utmost respect. It is not easy to do what this guy did. That’s true courage……Meanwhile, somewhere in twitter-land, Malcom Jenkins is on the phone asking his CNN friends for belly rubs and butter biscuits. Cue cowardly Malcom throwing Jonathan under the bus for Malcom’s own brand building benefit in 3…..2…..1……
Quote from renowned African-American economist/professor Walter Williams:
“Black Americans have made the greatest gains, over some of the highest hurdles, and in a shorter span of time than any other racial group in history. If one totaled up the earnings and spending of Black Americans and considered us as a separate nation with our own gross domestic product, we would rank well within the top 20 richest nations.”
He’s the kind of man that makes you regain faith in humanity. TRUE COURAGE.
One of the rare heartwarming stories coming out of the WOKE & hypocritical NBA. I’m proud of this Christian Brother. Luke 21: 17-19 “You will be hated by all because of my name, but not a hair on your head will be destroyed. By your perseverance you will secure your lives.”
I like this guy.
His response was almost poetic. This dude mega smart.
He is the courageous one. Amen brother.
Good For Him.
Not one of the Lemmings. Refreshing that he thinks for himself and is unafraid. Maybe he will start a movement. He recognizes that you cannot elevate one by tearing down another, unlike the Marxists.
The only thing he missed when he was asked the question was: “do you believe a murdered black Trump supporter’s life matters? Do you believe innocent black children caught in the cross fire lives matter?” That May have shut up the dunce who asked the question.
Unlike LeBron making a fool of himself, this man truly resembles a leader.
Exactly. This Cat is 10x the man Lebron James is. I won’t watch the NBA but I’d buy his jersey.
I hope this catches on with other athletes in other sports.
Problem is that these other idiots/guys can’t erase the images of what they are doing.
This isn’t like wearing pink during breast cancer month. Or brown during colon cancer week.
Or yellow for a prostate afternoon.
Kneeling is disrespecting the Flag, the anthem, the nation and the fans that support the flag, the nation and the anthem.
Just stay in the locker room.
That my friends is a courageous leader.
Respect.
True courage…
Already, the SJW-BLM-CoronaBro onslaught is looking pathetically foolish, and their days are numbered.
Sam Coonrod, Stephon Tuitt, John Isaac showing how real men believe and act; and no doubt more will follow their leads!!
The Truth always come out…
Amen. Let’s hope it happens sooner than later.
I don’t know who is more delusional, the millionaires kneeling to appease Nike and the rabid left or the Twitter drones who hold them up as heroes.
Absolutely outstanding job.
Talk about this every time I teach on Sundays…and I am the most guilty of all. We cannot let our anger at those who seek to destroy our country prevent us from using this opportunity to share the Gospel. God can and will use this for HIS glory.
an NBA player possibly worth rooting for as an individuals. Glad I learned something today. Thanks for the story!