By Mallory Mattingly
Indiana Pacers point guard Tyrese Haliburton went down in Game Seven of the NBA Finals with a torn right Achilles tendon, but he’s clinging to his faith.
“Man. Don’t know how to explain it other than shock. Words cannot express the pain of this letdown. The frustration is unfathomable. I’ve worked my whole life to get to this moment, and this is how it ends? Makes no sense,” Haliburton shared in a statement along with a photo of him getting out of surgery.
“Now that I’ve gotten surgery, I wish I could count the number of times people will tell me I’m going to ‘come back stronger.’ What a cliche,” the point guard continued.
While most athletes only post the good stuff on social media, Haliburton wanted to keep it real with his fans so that they can understand the mental challenges athletes go through.
“My foot feels like dead weight, fam. But what’s hurting most, I think, is my mind. Feel like I’m rambling, but I know this is something I’ll look back on when I’m through this, as something I’m proud I fought through,” he said.
Despite the mental challenge this injury has brought on, he continues to keep his faith in God.
“At 25, I’ve already learned that God never gives us more than we can handle,” he continued. “I know I’ll come out on the other side of this a better man and a better player. And honestly, right now, torn Achilles and all, I don’t regret it. I’d do it again, and again after that, to fight for this city and my brothers. For the chance to do something special.”
Related: Pacers Point Guard Finds ‘Peace’ in Pregame Bible Study
Haliburton then quoted the late Kobe Bryant, who also tore his Achilles: “There are far greater issues/challenges in the world than a torn achilles. Stop feeling sorry for yourself, find the silver lining and get to work with the same belief, same drive, and same conviction as ever.”
“That’s exactly right. I will do everything in my power to get back right,” the athlete declared. “My journey to get to where I am today wasn’t by happenstance; I’ve pushed myself every day to be great. And I will continue to do just that. The most important part of this all is that I’m grateful. I’m grateful for every single experience that’s led me here. I’m grateful for all the love from the hoop world. I don’t ‘have to’ go through this; I get to go through this. I’m grateful for the road that lies ahead. Watch how I come back from this. So, give me some time, I’ll dust myself off and get right back to being the best version of Tyrese Haliburton.”
He concluded the post with one of his favorite Bible verses, Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”
The athlete frequently speaks about his faith.
“Over the last two years, my religion has become very important in my life,” Haliburton said in an interview with GQ Sports last year. “Just understanding that I’m made in the image of God, in a world where you have a bad game and they’re killing you on social media, or your confidence goes up and down, I can always come right here. This is my peace.”
It’s incredible to see a pro trust God even amid a major career setback.
Read Next: How Olympic Runner Morolake Akinosun Finds Her Identity in Christ After Achilles Rupture
Questions or comments? Please write to us here.
- Content: +4Share:
- Content: +3