Christian Athletes Rally Behind Jaden Ivey After Bulls Release Him Over Pride Night Criticism

The 24-year-old NBA player has found support from a network of fellow Christian athletes following his dismissal.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 11:36pm

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Jaden Ivey, a 24-year-old NBA player, was released from the Chicago Bulls after he criticized the league's celebration of Pride Month, calling it 'unrighteousness.' While Ivey has faced backlash from the media and fans, a growing number of Christian athletes have come to his defense, sharing messages of support and Bible verses to encourage him during this challenging time.

Why it matters

Ivey's dismissal from the Bulls highlights the ongoing tensions between religious beliefs and LGBTQ+ inclusion in professional sports. This incident raises questions about the balance between freedom of expression and corporate policies, as well as the role of faith in athletes' public lives.

The details

Ivey, who was previously with the Detroit Pistons, posted a series of videos criticizing the NBA's Pride Month celebrations, saying the league was 'proclaiming unrighteousness.' After these comments, the Chicago Bulls, who had acquired Ivey in a trade earlier this season, decided to release him from the team. While Ivey has faced backlash, a number of Christian athletes, including Patriots running back TreVeyon Henderson, have voiced their support for him and shared Bible verses to strengthen him during this time.

  • Ivey was the fifth overall pick of the Detroit Pistons in 2022 and spent the first three years of his NBA career with the team.
  • Ivey was traded to the Chicago Bulls earlier this season.
  • Ivey posted his critical comments about the NBA's Pride Month celebrations in March 2026.
  • The Chicago Bulls released Ivey from the team shortly after his comments.

The players

Jaden Ivey

A 24-year-old NBA player who was recently released from the Chicago Bulls after criticizing the league's Pride Month celebrations.

TreVeyon Henderson

A running back for the New England Patriots who was among the first to voice his support for Ivey following his dismissal from the Bulls.

Chicago Bulls

The NBA team that released Ivey from their roster after he made comments criticizing the league's Pride Month celebrations.

Detroit Pistons

The NBA team that drafted Ivey in 2022 and with whom he spent the first three years of his professional career.

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What they’re saying

“'They proclaim Pride Month in the NBA. They proclaim it. They show it to the world. They say, 'Come join us 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? [Who] are they to say that, 'Man, this man is crazy'?'”

— Jaden Ivey, NBA Player

“Ivey has been welcomed with open arms by a much larger team of Christian athletes who support his beliefs.”

— Dylan Gwinn, Author

What’s next

It remains to be seen if Ivey will be signed by another NBA team or if he will continue his professional basketball career elsewhere. The incident has sparked a broader discussion about the role of faith and personal beliefs in professional sports.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing tensions between religious convictions and LGBTQ+ inclusion in professional sports. It raises questions about the balance between freedom of expression and corporate policies, as well as the role of faith in athletes' public lives. The support Ivey has received from fellow Christian athletes suggests there is a network of religious-minded players who may face similar challenges in the future.