Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla reiterated his Christian perspective as he led the team in celebration of its NBA Finals victory on Monday night, wearing a T-shirt that read, “First of all, I want to thank God.”
Mazzulla led the team to its 18th victory on Monday, but he has never shied away from touting his deep Catholic faith along with his basketball expertise during his tenure as the team’s head coach.
The Celtics defeated the Dallas Mavericks 106-88 in the NBA Finals in Boston, taking their fourth-series victory over the Mavericks. As the team celebrated, Mazzulla revealed that he had been wearing a shirt with a special message written on it underneath the one he was wearing during the game.
Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla in his powerful shirt after winning the NBA Finals:
“But first…let me thank God.” pic.twitter.com/TwICpZYCpr
— The WalkPod (@TheWalkPod) June 18, 2024
This was not the only time that Mazura openly professed his faith.
Last week, he revealed that if the Celtics win the championship, he plans to celebrate by visiting Jerusalem and the Holy Land.
“If we win this year, I’ll fly to Jerusalem and walk from Jericho to Jerusalem,” Mazzulla told Sports Boston NBC.
“And it will be kind of a reunion for us,” he added. “But we went last year and we stopped along this mountainside in the Kidron Valley, and we saw a path between the mountains… [and] In the meantime, the only way [Jesus] “The only way to get from Jericho to Jerusalem was through this valley. So I thought, ‘I have to walk through it.’
“I think most people go to Disney World or something… [the Holy Land is] “This is the most important place to go back and re-examine yourself,” he asserted.
He also spoke about his love of “prayer walks” and his rosary bead collection.
He also spoke about his faith in response to a question posed by a reporter at a press conference earlier this month.
During a June 9 press conference, Mazzulla completely rejected any conscious race-based questioning from the media, preferring instead to redirect the question to one about his faith in Christ.
When a reporter asked him if he had any comments about two black head coaches facing off in the finals, he didn’t address racial issues, saying only, “I wonder how many of them are Christian coaches.”
Many users at X appreciated that their coach stood by his beliefs.
Love this!!
— Scott Skarda (@SkardaScott) June 18, 2024
I love this guy.
Reporter: Did you see the royal family in the audience?
Mazzurra: *confused* “Joseph, Mary and Jesus?”
— Hugh Chardon (@HughChard0n) June 18, 2024
Thank you, Joe Mazzulla. Colossians 3:17: “Whatever you do, in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
— Carl CT (@CarlCTUS) June 18, 2024
Our whole family is thrilled to know that he always prays the Rosary. @Nike Just pray pic.twitter.com/fhpUIfTCbW
— Dedicated to the Holy Family (@MackyA227) June 18, 2024
Congratulations Coach Mazzula!
➡️The power of the Rosary
➡️ Witness to the Catholic Faith
Supernatural graces come from the intercession of the Virgin Mary, Mother of God✝️Christ is King
✝️Mary is the QueenVideo credit: NBC… pic.twitter.com/aRUgJhzJEV
— Catholic Deacon (@catholic_deacon) June 18, 2024
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