NBA star Jonathan Isaac launches faith-based brand as alternative to Nike – three years after not kneeling for national anthem
- Jonathan Isaac, who plays for the Orlando Magic, was previously with Nike
- But since splitting from the brand, he’s now started his own with Christian values
- DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news
Magic big man Jonathan Isaac has announced the launch of a Christian apparel company for ‘freedom-loving Americans.’
Isaac, who became the first player not to kneel during the national anthem in the NBA bubble three years ago – in the wake of George Floyd’s death – was previously sponsored by Nike.
But he’s now moved on to create a clothing company that caters to those who share his beliefs.
‘When we do give our money to companies that don’t support our values, we’re cosigning their message,’ he said on Fox & Friends Tuesday.
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‘So what I wanted to do was give Americans, freedom-loving Americans, faith-loving Americans the option to buy with their values.’
Jonathan Isaac did not kneel beside his teammates in the NBA bubble in 2020
He also did not get the coronavirus vaccine, with COVID ravaging the United States
Isaac has now launched a faith-based clothing line, which is called UNITUS
The 25-year-old – who is black – explained his decision not to kneel or wear Black Lives Matter apparel in 2020.
‘I didn’t want to align myself with the Black Lives Matter movement and organization,’ he said.
‘And I felt that a true answer to all the problems that we see, not just racism, was the gospel of Jesus Christ. So I decided to stand up and share it.’
Isaac said on the Fox program that his apparel line will include shirts, hoodies and even a pair of sneakers set to be launched closer to the NBA season.
The former Florida State star caused controversy with his refusal to receive the COVID vaccine as the virus ravaged the United States.
Isaac went a staggering 904 days between NBA games as he battled various injuries
‘It seemed forced,’ he said of his decision at the ReAwaken America tour last year.
‘It seemed like there was so much pressure in doing it. I’m young. I’m healthy. I’m an athlete and I already had COVID in the past.’
Basketball-wise, Isaac endured a brutal stretch of injuries, going 904 days between NBA games after injuries to his ACL and hamstring.
He returned last January but played just 11 games in the 2022-23 season after suffering a torn adductor.
