By: Manuel Polanco
Back in 2022, the Detroit Pistons selected guard Jaden Ivey as the No. 5 overall pick in the National Basketball Association (NBA) draft. He was seen as a key player in the rebuilding of the Pistons’ future, but fast forward to 2026, and Ivey isn’t on the Pistons, let alone playing basketball professionally.
Before his trajectory plummeted, the cracks began to show during his second year in the league. Ivey randomly went on a rant postgame about how Jesus was coming back. But before we continue, let’s make one thing clear: sports and religion are synonymous with one another, and many players practice their faith no matter what said faith is. Believing in a higher power is perfectly okay, and it is beautiful to see people practice their faith.
The issue arises when a player, especially a Black athlete, is going through a clear mental health struggle, and people choose to ignore their pleas, instead clinging to the religious psychosis filled rants. Not only that, but using their faith as a means to be homophobic and perpetuate homophobic talking points. If these athletes are strong in their faith, then why are they so quick to judge someone for their sexuality? The message is clear: Athletes should not use their faith as an excuse to perpetuate homophobia.
In a press conference back in 2024, Ivey told reporters, “Jesus is coming back, and we all have to repent for our sins.” This is a very strange thing to say in a post-game interview to reporters, and many noted how he never did this in his rookie year.
Things came to a head when Ivey fractured his fibula on New Year’s Day 2025, during a game against the Orlando Magic. This incident is where many suspect Ivey’s mental health took a turn for the worse. His hot start to the season was cut short. After this injury, Ivey was plagued with minor injuries that impacted his play, and he came back on Nov. 22, but it was obvious he was not the same player he used to be. He wound up riding the bench for two games before getting traded to the Chicago Bulls.
His tenure in Chicago didn’t start well, as he didn’t play in his first game there. After getting shut down on March 26, Ivey took to Instagram live to say, “The world can proclaim LGBTQ, right? They proclaim Pride Month. And the NBA, they proclaim it. They show it to the world. They say, ‘Come join us for Pride Month, to celebrate unrighteousness.’ They proclaim it on the billboards. They proclaim it in the streets. Unrighteousness.”
Something was off with Ivey’s behavior.
Why was he randomly going off on homophobic tangents? And most importantly, is he okay? Having a major injury like a fractured fibula and then dealing with setbacks must have taken a toll on him.
Ivey’s comments would turn towards his family in another Instagram live on March 31.
“Those who are around me, those who are my family members are betraying (me) because of what I said. The truth. Betraying me. Saying that I’m losing my mind. Saying that I’m crazy. Saying that I don’t know the truth,” Ivey said. “These are my own family members who love me. My blood. Those who raised me saying that I don’t know the truth. ‘Man, he’s psycho.’ He’s this, he’s that. Those are my own household. All because of the gospel. All because I said the truth.”
The answer was clear: Ivey was struggling with a mental health situation that led him to be emotionally disturbed and start saying absurd things that really don’t make sense. Instead of coming to his aid, many people, including fellow athletes, poked fun at the athlete or joined in his religious babble that held no merit to justify their homophobic ideals.
New England Patriots Running Back TeVeyon Henderson used this opportunity to side with Ivey and tweeted out in support of Ivey, quoting the Bible’s Matthew 5:10.
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”(Matthew 5:10).
Unfortunately, this is not new in the sports world; many athletes use their faith to shield themselves from backlash when they’re being homophobic.
Society does not care about the struggles and mental health of many Black athletes.
It has been a month since this incident took place, and the hope is that Ivey is getting the help he needs, but no matter what, homophobia is not acceptable by anyone, let alone athletes. They should not use their faith to attack others; instead, they should try to bring those together who may need guidance or help.