NBA Star Jonathan Isaac’s Faith-Inspired Shoes Debut in DC
“How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news,” the Bible says in Isaiah 52:7. The Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C., is taking those words literally by exhibiting scripture-based basketball shoes worn by Jonathan Isaac of the NBA’s Orlando Magic.
“The @weareunitus Judah 1 will officially live on as the first basketball sneaker displayed @museumofbible,” Isaac posted on Instagram. “Thank yous all around to my family and the Unitus team but first and foremost to Jesus! None of this exist if he doesn’t first give himself for me and all of us! This is Just the beginning!! Can’t wait until the Judah 2 drop coming soon.”
The Judah 1 sneakers are part of the museum’s “Impact of the Bible” exhibit, which highlights how God’s word has influenced art, education, architecture and other aspects of life. The shoes include Proverbs 28:1: “The wicked flee though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.”
Isaac, who played for the Magic for six seasons and sat out two because of a severe knee injury, went viral in 2020 after refusing to take a knee during the national anthem before a basketball game amid the Black Lives Matter protests. In 2023, he launched UNITUS after Nike dropped him after his injury. Isaac shared how he is using his brand to encourage Christians to stand boldly for the Lord.
“It’s also about loving people well,” he said. “It’s not about just trying to shove God down everybody’s throat. It’s about just being authentically you, being gracious, loving other people. But when the moment comes that you are at odds with the culture or what other people think, I think we have a responsibility to stand with Christ. And I’ve seen that God will not let you go.”
Isaac said he is honored to have his shoes on display at the museum.
“You know, if Jesus doesn’t come back anytime soon, then my kids and my kids’ kids will always be able to come to the Museum of the Bible and remember their grandpa, great grandpa, and say, ‘Hey, our grandpa did something for the honor and the glory of God, not for himself, and that’s why it’s in the Museum of the Bible,’” he said.
–Alan Goforth
