Orlando Magic’s NBA player Jonathan Isaac is on a mission that allows fans and sports enthusiasts to dig deeper into their faith.
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In 2023, Isaac launched Unitus, a company selling sneakers and apparel aimed at high quality faith. It was a business that emerged from a pivotal moment in Isaac’s life and career.
As CBN’s Faithwire reported earlier, he started out in 2020 with his fellow Orlando teammates, refusing to kneel during the national anthem and wearing Black Lives Matter outfits. The decision drove him into the headlines and led him to write a book.
“A lot of people know me because it’s a big stand,” he told CBN News, promoting the release of the new Freedom Fortra Sneaker. “I didn’t kneel at the national anthem.
Looking back on why he didn’t take part in the protest, Isaac said in his heart he knew that “Christ is the answer” and that he “is the answer” to other issues that bother the nation.
“There was a problem,” he said. “We faced problems. It was a turbulent time, but I believe Christ was the answer. That’s why I finally stood there.”
At about the same time, Isaac was forced to tear his ACL and spend time recovering. Nike decides not to re-sign him due to injuries. And after consulting with the pastor, he began to think about starting his own shoe brand, rather than trying to heal Nike and return Nike to the ship after he began to play again.
Isaac soon realized that he could launch a brand that “not only gives glory to God, but also gives justice as to what shoes look like when created by Christians.” All the sneakers produced by Unitus are equipped with biblical poems, allowing customers and fans to enjoy powerful reminders of their faith.
“It’s bulging across the brand that is centered around creating touchpoints for believers to connect with each other and to Christ,” he said. “The big thing for us is that shoe poetry isn’t necessarily about evangelism… They’re about the person wearing them, and helping you create a touchpoint of reflection for yourself.”
While poetry will certainly trigger conversations for those who notice them, Isaac believes that the Bible provides strong reflections for those who wear shoes.
“It really makes sense in helping me remember what it really is. Why am I doing what I am doing? Why am I calling myself a Christian? What does this mean?” Isaac said. “And as many touch points as possible throughout the day, I’d take more care.”
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“I really feel like God is in this…it’s when our world continues to become crazy,” he said. “I refocused on people who not only open the eyes of people who don’t believe in, but also those who claim to be part of their faith, saying, “Hey, we really believe that as a church we need to equip ourselves to walk Gospel and Gospel as a walk.
The latest release of Isaac’s product is Freedom Fortra, a multipurpose sneaker for walking, going to the gym, or wearing it in everyday life. The shoes in colours of red, white and blue reflect the ideals of American freedom, and include Isaiah 9:6 on the back.
The poem states, “For us, a child will be born, and we will be given a son, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called the wonderful counselor, the mighty God, the eternal Father, the prince of peace.” It is the Bible prophesied of Jesus, the ultimate freedom he has given to mankind.
“Fortra’s freedom is our view on the 4th July celebration, and I think it’s absolutely something I’m proud of,” he said. “The country we are in…and everything we have is Americans. But greater freedom is found in Christ, in the times.”
For more information about Unitus, click here.
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