In the wake of an anti-LGBTQ+ rant on Instagram Live, the Chicago Bulls made the assumedly easy decision to waive guard Jaden Ivey. Ivey, whom they had just acquired from the Detroit Pistons at the trade deadline, only suited up for four games with the Bulls, where he played fine but not great.
There are many people who are trying to make this a problem of religion. Some, such as conservative commentator Riley Gaines, are trying to spin this situation as if Ivey is being persecuted for professing his religion and, specifically, for being a Christian.
It is important to call out attempts to manufacture a potentially harmful narrative. To put it simply: No, Ivey was not waived for being a Christian. He was waived for making comments that were meant to degrade an entire group of people who, for the most part, feel out of place in the world of sports. Ivey wasn’t just “being religious” on that Instagram Live.
“They proclaim Pride Month in the NBA,” Ivey said via Instagram Live. “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. They proclaim it on the billboards. They proclaim it in the streets – unrighteousness. So how is it that one can’t speak righteousness?”
Additionally, his outburst on Instagram Live was not the first occurrence of Ivey behaving in strange manners. He would also act questionably toward the Bulls’ staff and others involved with the team. Ivey reportedly would ask reporters if they had been “saved” or if they had fornicated before marriage. Ivey, who was recovering from knee surgery, also told the Bulls’ training staff, “I’m ready. Jesus healed my knee.” Afterward, the Bulls conducted an MRI on his knee and shut him down for the rest of the season.
It is also important to note that Ivey was set to be a restricted free agent this offseason, meaning the Bulls could have matched any contract offer another team would make him. It’s safe to say they will not be exercising that right, but it is important to remember that he had no term left on his contract when asking why they waived him.
All of this is to say that Ivey gave the Bulls more than one reason to no longer associate with him. Even if he didn’t, though, it wouldn’t solidify the idea that he was persecuted for his beliefs. There are countless examples of other players in both the NBA and other leagues who are outspoken about their religious beliefs and don’t face repercussions for it.
Those defending Ivey also don’t seem to be the most genuine when it comes to matters like these. New England Patriots running back TreVeyon Henderson came to Ivey’s defense on X, posting a verse from the Bible. Funnily enough, Henderson had nothing to say in December when his teammate Stefon Diggs was accused of assaulting his former chef. Where was his Bible-clutching then?
Some may point out that other players in the NBA have also made problematic statements in the past and did not face repercussions. While true that the NBA tends to let talent outweigh character when it comes to who gets to keep playing, it is ultimately the team’s decision. In this case, the Bulls, who have other talented guards on the roster, decided the talent doesn’t outweigh the public relations nightmare he has become.
The truly sad part of this whole situation is that we are witnessing a man going through a possible mental health episode and certain people are too quick to make this a religious issue. This is a man whose wife briefly cut contact with him and can now be seen on his Instagram Live videos begging him to “Please stop” while he was ranting about religion. Ivey doesn’t need to be made a martyr; he needs help.
