This NBA Star Stands Solo for the National Anthem and Courageously Shares His Faith When Asked Why

Action News Jax : Aug 6, 2020
Intercessors For America

"I believe that my life has been supported through the Gospel, Jesus Christ, and that everyone is made in the image of God." -Jonathan Isaac

[IFAPray.org] Father, thank You for this encouraging stand for Biblical values. We pray that this would encourage and convict us to do the same in our own lives. (Image: AP Photo-Ashley Landis, Pool)

Jonathan Isaac, of the Orlando Magic, was the lone NBA player who stood during the national anthem before the team played the Brooklyn Nets last week. All other players and coaches knelt.

Isaac, who was claimed by the Magic in the first round of the league's 2017 draft, was also the only player not wearing a shirt that shows "Black Lives Matter."

The 22-year-old Florida State University graduate said he doesn't believe kneeling or wearing a T-shirt "go hand in hand with supporting Black lives."

He said he does believe Black lives matter.

In an interview, Isaac answered questions about his decisions with a focus on religion.

"I believe that my life has been supported through the Gospel, Jesus Christ, and that everyone is made in the image of God," he said. "Each and every one of us each and every day do things that we shouldn't do. We say things that we shouldn't say. We hate and we dislike people we shouldn't hate and dislike. Sometimes, it gets to a point where we point fingers about whose evil is worse. And sometimes that comes out with whose evil is most visible."

Isaac, an ordained minister, said he wanted to take a stand and remind people that "the Gospel of Jesus Christ says there's grace for of us..." 

"When you look around, racism isn't the only thing that plagues our society, that plagues our nation, that plagues our world," he said. "Coming together on that message—that we want to get past not only racism but everything that plagues us as a society, I feel like the answer to it is the Gospel"... Subscribe for free to Breaking Christian News here

Click here to read more and watch the Twitter video exchange between Isaac and the reporter.