Introduction
Paying Homage to Jrue Holiday
The Boston Celtics’ playoff run will start on Sunday, April 20, making this a great time to highlight Jrue Holiday. Normally, I don’t acknowledge anything good the Boston Celtics do because I am a die-hard Los Angeles Lakers fan.
Despite being a rival on the hardwood, Jrue Holiday’s faith in Jesus Christ makes him a brother off the court. And this brother has a phenomenal story of family, faith, and burden-bearing selflessness that the world needs to hear.
Shawn & Toya Holiday’s Impact
Love & Basketball are in the Lineage of Jrue Holiday
Beginning Jrue Holiday’s story without mentioning his parents’ impact would be a disservice to readers.
Jrue Holiday was born in Chatsworth, California, on June 12, 1990. Jrue is the second of four children belonging to Shawn and Toya Holiday.
Shawn and Toya’s story resembles the movie Love & Basketball. This example of life imitating art manifests as the couple meets while playing basketball for Arizona State University (ASU).
While the couple describes themselves as okay basketball players, Shawn proudly admits his wife is better. Many fans may agree with Shawn since Toya was inducted into the Southern California Basketball Hall of Fame in 2024.
Their love for the game did not stop after college. They continued playing one-on-one long after they began building their family.
Their middle son, Jrue, testifies that their passion for basketball influenced the love he and his siblings have for the game. Their passion became a career as Jrue and his brothers (Justin and Aaron) all play in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
Justin, Jrue, and Aaron are a set within a group of fourteen brothers currently in the NBA. Their sister Laura also played twelve games for the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) before retiring due to multiple head injuries.
Christ, The Holiday’s Foundation
Laura and her brothers credit their parents for introducing them to the game they adore.
However, a greater love serves as the Holiday family’s foundation. This foundation is their faith in Jesus Christ.
Jrue Holiday mentions how during his childhood, the family attended church every Sunday and a few times a week.
Shawn and Toya Holiday’s commitment to faith in Jesus Christ reminds me of Proverbs 22:6. This verse comes to mind as training your child spiritually doesn’t just apply to their relationship with God.
Instead, the Holiday’s faith influences their children’s work ethic, respect for others, and appreciation for community. These values authenticate one’s relationship with God and can compel others to find salvation in Jesus Christ (Matthew 5:16; 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12).
Shawn and Toya deserve honor for instilling a strong faith-based foundation in their children. However, the entire family praises God for their success, knowing he’s kept his promise to bless their obedience.
Jrue Holiday Off the Court
Jrue Holiday’s Relationship with God
Jrue Holiday remains obedient by continuing to grow in his relationship with God. He humbles himself before God daily through prayer.
Jrue references Philippians 4:6-7 as a scripture compelling him to remain consistent in prayer.
This is because God promises to answer prayer when believers express gratitude and trust him to supply their needs. The verse then promises peace, which Jrue knows he needs as an NBA athlete.
The peace and blessings that stem from prayer compel Jrue to share his devotion to faith with others.
One way he proclaims his religion is by partnering with the Hallow App. The Hallow app allows supporters to listen to Jrue pray and read devotionals related to his prayer.
Jrue also expresses his faith by heeding to Matthew 10:32 and Romans 1:16. These verses mention being unashamed of Jesus Christ and his Gospel message.
Jrue lives out these scriptures by openly sharing his faith during press conferences and interviews and wearing Christian apparel.
Steadfast Through Test & Trials
Wearing Christian apparel and being unashamed of the Gospel are outward expressions of Jrue’s faith.
However, every Christian understands they must face trials and temptations that will allow their perseverance to grow. Once perseverance grows, believers will be mature and complete, lacking nothing.
Jrue Holiday’s perseverance grew through two trials. The first was that his wife Lauren, was diagnosed with brain cancer while pregnant with their daughter.
The diagnosis came with the potential risk of losing both his wife and daughter. Instead of complaining about the risk, Jrue turned to prayer and his support system to endure this trial.
God proved his faithfulness through this trial by
- Allowing his daughter to be born in good health.
- Bringing Lauren through a successful brain surgery a few weeks later.
- Blessing the couple with 11 years of marriage and two children (Jrue and Hendrix).
A Selfless Burden Bearer
Along with demonstrating God’s faithfulness, Lauren’s diagnosis proves Jrue’s character and belief in being a selfless burden bearer. This is seen as Jrue sacrifices basketball to care for his wife.
Jrue deserves recognition for his sacrifice because it proves that the well-being of his wife and family is more important than basketball. Additionally, Jrue’s actions embody Ephesians 5:25, loving his wife like Christ loves the church and giving himself for her.
Lauren reciprocated Jrue’s love for her through an idea that further highlighted his ability to be a selfless burden bearer. She suggested Jrue donate his $5 million NBA Bubble salary to black-owned businesses affected by the pandemic.
Jrue and Lauren used the $5 million to start the Jrue Holiday Fund, which assists black-owned businesses and nonprofits in Los Angeles, New Orleans, and Boston. This is done by fighting systemic racism and socioeconomic inequalities.
Using his financial resources to help black-owned businesses, Jrue shows believers how to apply their faith to their work. Jrue also demonstrates Proverbs 3:27 by choosing to do good for those he has the power to assist.
Jrue Holiday on the Hardwood
Basketball Accomplishments
The selfless burden bearer assists the needy in his community and is exemplary on the basketball court. Since being drafted as the 17th pick by the Philadelphia 76ers in 2009, Jrue has proven to be a selfless competitor.
Some of Jrue’s notable basketball accolades include
- Being the 2008 National Gatorade Player of the Year.
- Being a part og the 2009 All-Pac 12 Team.
- Playing for the 76ers, New Orleans Pelicans, Milwaukee Bucks, and Boston Celtics.
- Winning an NBA Championship with the Bucks and Celtics.
- Being a 2 time NBA All-Star (2013, 2023).
- Earning the 2021 Sportsmanship og the Year Award.
- Receiving the 3 All-NBA Defensive First Team Awards (2018, 2021, 2023).
- Receiving the 3 All-NBA Defensive Second Team Awards (2019, 2022, 2024).
- Winning 2 Olympic Gold Medals.
Winning gold medals is impressive and validates Jrue’s effort to become a great basketball player. However, Jrue would probably say they are not as great as knowing Christ and demonstrating his love to others by bearing their burdens.
Similar to Jrue Holiday, do you have a favorite NBA player who demonstrates Christ’s love? You can leave a comment telling me more about them. Your feedback is greatly appreciated!
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In