What Christian Athletes Can't Do

It was the night before Easter, and the shouting began to spread. Street preachers had claimed a corner near Auburn University. As video of their efforts circulated on social media, one preacher in particular appeared to drive interest.

Tall, with twisted locks and sporting a "Child of God" jersey, the man paced and declared the words of Matthew 5:8 ("Blessed are the pure in heart"). Onlookers quickly recognized him as Jaden Ivey, who five days earlier had effectively been ousted from the NBA.

Ivey, 24, was dismissed by the Chicago Bulls on March 30 for "conduct detrimental to the team." Acquired via trade from the Detroit Pistons not two months earlier, Ivey had posted a string of Instagram videos the day of his release. Streaming from inside his car, he offered what many media outlets quickly branded "anti-LGBTQ+" remarks.