The parable of Kyrie Irving
Freedom is not free. It cost about $60 million, after taxes. A word from Mark 8.
“For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his soul?”
About $60 million, after taxes.
For Kyrie Irving, Mark 8:36 was not a rhetorical question.
Irving’s decision to decline the experimental covid-19 vaccine cost him upwards of $100M, Irving said this week. It’s not every day the offer to sell one’s soul comes in writing.
That was the size of Irving’s Brooklyn Nets contract offer, prior to the 2021-22 season. There was just the matter of this experimental jab.
New York City had a vaccine requirement for local players. A Detroit Piston could come to town unvaccinated and play. But a New York Knick or Brooklyn Net had to take the jab, or sit out home games.
The season started that way, and went on that way through March, when a “Kyrie carve out” was allowed.
Irving played chicken with the system, and won.
It cost him. Integrity does not come cheap.
There was the contract, of course.
Then there was the team’s attempt to isolate him.
Then there was the whisper campaign, that Irving was selfish.
Then there were the daily pile-ons from the local and national media, presenting Irving as a diva at best or an anti-vaxxer nut at worst.
The conditions for crying “Uncle!” were ripe.
Yet Irving didn’t tap out. Why?
What makes a man say no, when given every reason to say yes?
“Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, he is the one who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.” — Deuteronomy 31:6
In Deuteronomy, Moses is preparing his people for their journey into their new home, Israel. This will require some clear-cutting of the people who built it. There Would Be Blood.
If the teachings of Moses could be boiled down to a tweet-sized format, this might be it: Be courageous among men, and fearful of God.
Those teachings are central to Judaism and Christianity, and respected in Islam.
Kyrie Irving is a Muslim. That faith informed his courage. Ramadan fasting is just the beginning of the ways Irving lives differently than his peers.
So when it came time to pull away from the herd, Irving was ready. His training is that the faithful are often isolated for their beliefs, protected by God during hard times, and later vindicated.
When the world pushed and shoved and mandated, Irving stood on a solid rock, and said No.
What profit a man to sign a $100M contract, and lose his soul?
Irving has already been vindicated. He is free indeed.
The public won’t get it until he signs the big contract. But after last season’s reminder that the Nets are better with him, it’ll be bigger than the one he lost.
When have you been brave in life? What were the costs? Tell me below, in the comments.