NBA's Kevin Durant Blows Media Away with "Soul-baring" Testimony to God's Grace and a Single Mother's Enduring Strength

Teresa Neumann : May 8, 2014
Ryan Stewart – News 9

"First of all, I would like to thank God for changing my life. He let me really realize what life is all about. Basketball is just a platform for me to inspire people, and I realize that."

(Oklahoma City, OK)—In a speech universally agreed to be deeply moving, emotionally powerful and spiritually uplifting, humble, five-time All-Star NBA forward Kevin Durant cried openly on Tuesday as he accepted the NBA Most Valuable Player award. (Photo via News9.com)

Durant, who grew up in a suburb of Washington, DC with his brother, credited his single mother, who was at the ceremony, for who he is today.

"I don't think you know what you did," he said, directing his tribute to his mother in the audience. "You made us believe. Kept us off the streets. Put clothes on our backs, food on the table. When you didn't eat, you made sure we ate. You sacrificed for us. You're the real MVP." (Photo via News9.com)

Last June, Durant shared about his love for Jesus Christ at Hillsong Church in New York City.

"When I came out of the water, I just felt different," said Durant about his baptism at Hillsong. "Before, I would be so mad at the smallest things; my coaches, my teammates, my fans. After [I was baptized] I was just so positive, showing God His grace..."

"I just want to grow spiritually with the Lord," he added. "I'm keeping strong at it, just trying to make my walk with faith a little better."

Click here to watch Durant's acceptance speech.