Ousted NBA star Jaden Ivey is standing by his anti-LGBTQ+ stance. In a new video, the former Chicago Bulls player said he spoke out against the queer community because of what’s in the Bible. Elsewhere in the video, Ivey, who played college basketball at Purdue University in Indiana, clapped back at the Bulls organization for calling his conduct “detrimental” to the team.
NBA Player Jaden Ivey Opens Up About ‘Fornicating’ Before He Was Saved
Ivey has shared a handful of lenghty videos speaking about religion and social issues over the last week, and today is no different.
While appearing on the “PinPoint” podcast, Ivey admitted to struggling with many things he believes are against the word of God.
Ivey opened up about his issues “fornicating with multiple women,” drinking alcohol, and having “wrath” that caused him to “be physical” with others.
Jaden Ivey Speaks About Almost Dying By Suicide
Elsewhere in the video, Ivey said that his relationship with God helped him overcome personal struggles.
“I’ve almost committed suicide multiple times, and I’m not ashamed to say it,” he said. “I’m not ashamed because God was merciful to keep me here.”
“I almost committed suicide. I had [oxycodone] pills in my hand. And my wife was telling me, ‘Don’t do this. Don’t go down this road,” he continued. “I didn’t do it by God’s grace.”
Jaden Ivey Clarifies His Stance On LGBTQ+ Issues
Ivey’s video comes days after the Chicago Bulls waived him due to conduct “detrimental” to the team.
Before the organization’s decision, Ivey made headlines after making critical comments about the LGBTQ+ community and other religions.
“The world proclaims LGBTQ, right?” he said. “They proclaim Pride Month, and the NBA does, too. 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 on the streets. Unrighteousness.”
In one comment, Ivey reportedly told someone that Catholicism was a false religion and told another user that God doesn’t hear the prayers of sinners.
In his updated video, Ivey attempted to clarify his stance on the queer community, saying he is “not against the man or the woman.”
“I’m against what is contrary to the word of God,” he continued. “Man is not supposed to lie with a man and a woman is not supposed to lie with a woman.”
He added, “I have a mouth to speak. No one can stop me!”
Ivey Calls Out The Bulls For Releasing Him, Questions Their Reasoning
After being released by the Bulls, Ivey slammed the team for allegedly lying about his conduct, proclaiming that he was an excellent teammate.
“My conduct was not detrimental to the team,” he said during his “PinPoint” appearance. “That is a lie. I was a good teammate to those around me. I was a good teammate on the floor. … I did exactly what the coach asked me to do on a daily basis.”
“[My release] is strictly because I spoke the truth of the word of God, and was preaching the Gospel. That’s why it was detrimental to the team, and I [told] many on my team the truth.”
Bulls head coach Billy Donovan broke his silence on Ivey’s release days ago, saying the team has a “certain level of standards and expectations” of the players.
In addition to being “professional,” Donovan said creating a welcoming environment for everyone is the main goal. “I think there’s got to be a high level of respect for one another, and we got to help each other and then be accountable to those standards,” he said.
Social Media Users Voice Frustration With Ivey Over Earlier Comments
Social media users are continuing to react to Ivey’s position on the LGBTQ+ community, with one questioning why Ivey would sacrifice his position in the league to condemn an individual’s personal choices.
“Let’s normalize not forcing your religious beliefs onto others,” a second user wrote. “Save yourself, let others worry about themselves.”
“I’m waiting for yall to realize that everybody isn’t a Christian and don’t abide by that religion,” someone else posted. “If it’s YOUR religion, then do what YOUR religion says, leave everybody else out of your beliefs.”
“People kill me picking and choosing which sin they want to preach and push,” a fourth netizen wrote. “Keep that same energy for the sins you do as well.”