{"id":35820,"date":"2024-05-21T09:32:40","date_gmt":"2024-05-21T13:32:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/idolchatter\/?p=35820"},"modified":"2024-05-21T09:32:40","modified_gmt":"2024-05-21T13:32:40","slug":"nba-star-al-horford-glorifies-god-as-celtics-advance-to-conference-finals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/idolchatter\/2024\/05\/nba-star-al-horford-glorifies-god-as-celtics-advance-to-conference-finals.html","title":{"rendered":"NBA Star Al Horford Glorifies God As Celtics Advance to Conference Finals"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Boston Celtics star Al Horford is giving God the glory after his team advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals. After the second round, Game 5 win against the Clevland Cavaliers, the 17-season veteran center and five-time All-Star said in a post-game conference, \u201cI have to give glory to the Lord.\u201d He added, \u201cTonight was a special night. We had this chance to close it out here at home, and for me, the biggest thing was just bringing energy, bringing energy to our group.\u201d<\/p>\n

Horford, who was drafted in 2007 and turns 38 in June, scored 22 points and secured 15 rebounds in Game 5. Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla said in 2023, referring to Horford\u2019s contributions to the team, \u201cAny time he speaks, everybody listens because of his humility, his selfishness, and his leadership, always looking to make the right play.\u201d Over the years, Horford hasn\u2019t shied away from sharing his Christian faith. He said during a 2021 interview with NBA.com, \u201cMy whole purpose in life is to please God, to ensure I\u2019m doing His will and that I\u2019m living my life in that example.\u201d<\/p>\n

He continued, \u201cBased on that, that\u2019s how I go about my life, and then the rest of everything will fall in place, whether it\u2019s me being a basketball player, being the best father, the best husband, and just trying to help anybody I can along the way.\u201d In 2022, Horford told Sports Spectrum that even though he lacked a relationship with God when he started his NBA career, he\u2019s developed a strong desire to serve and honor the Lord with his life and career goals. He said, “This is what I live by, you know, my faith \u2014 my faith in Jesus Christ. And what he’s done in my life is what I live for,” Horford said. “It’s been a beautiful journey for me. God has spoken to my heart, and great things have come out of that. You know, blessings in my spiritual life, but also blessings with my family and my career, in many different ways.”<\/p>\n