How Many Ex NBA Players Are Jehovah’s Witnesses?
How Many Ex NBA Players Are Jehovah’s Witnesses
As a former NBA player myself, I have always been fascinated by the number of ex-players who are also Jehovah’s Witnesses. This is a religion that is often associated with strict rules and regulations, and many people may not expect to find many professional athletes among its ranks. However, there are actually quite a few ex-NBA players who are Jehovah’s Witnesses, and in this blog post, we will explore the reasons behind their decision to join this faith and the impact it has had on their careers and personal lives.
First of all, it’s important to understand what being a Jehovah’s Witness means. This religion is based on the teachings of the Bible, and its members are known for their commitment to evangelizing and spreading the word of God. They follow strict rules regarding their lifestyle and behavior, including not celebrating holidays or participating in politics.
One of the most well-known ex-NBA players who is a Jehovah’s Witness is Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. He converted to the religion in the late 1960s and has been a devout follower ever since. In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, he explained that he was attracted to the religion because of its focus on personal responsibility and accountability.
Another ex-player who is a Jehovah’s Witness is Metta World Peace, formerly known as Ron Artest. He converted to the religion in 2011 and has been very open about the impact it has had on his life. In an interview with The New York Times, he explained that becoming a Jehovah’s Witness helped him to find inner peace and overcome his anger issues.
But Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Metta World Peace are not the only ex-NBA players who are Jehovah’s Witnesses. There are several others, including James Edwards, John Flowers, and Nate Johnston. These players have all credited their faith with helping them to stay focused and disciplined in their careers, and many of them have continued to be active in the religion even after retiring from the NBA.
But being a Jehovah’s Witness can also come with its challenges, especially for professional athletes. For example, the religion’s strict rules about not celebrating holidays can make it difficult for players to participate in team events or traditions. In addition, the religion’s strict rules about not participating in politics can make it difficult for players to engage in social activism or take a stance on controversial issues.
Despite these challenges, many ex-NBA players who are Jehovah’s Witnesses have found that their faith has been a source of strength and support throughout their careers. They have been able to maintain their commitment to the religion while also excelling in their sport, and many of them have used their platform to spread the word of God and inspire others.
So how many ex-NBA players are Jehovah’s Witnesses? It’s difficult to say for sure, as many players may not be open about their faith. However, based on the players who have publicly discussed their religion, it’s clear that there are quite a few ex-NBA players who are Jehovah’s Witnesses. These players have found that their faith has been a source of strength and guidance in their lives, and they have used their platform to inspire others to pursue their own spiritual journeys.