There are times when professional athletes fight inner battles with their consciences. When they’re playing their sport—inside an environment that can be controlled to an extent—everything comes almost naturally to them. But life isn’t always so easily controlled. That’s when they think: Does my team come before me, or do I get to look out for myself and my loved ones? And the decision to walk away—even if it’s for a little while—weighs down on them. But sometimes, that’s what they need, and today, that’s what Jimmy Butler needed.

Before the Miami Heat welcomed the Boston Celtics at the Kaseya Center, the team announced they’d be without their star player. “Jimmy Butler has been granted a leave of absence as he deals with the death of a family member,” a statement by Butler’s agent Bernie Lee read. “Jimmy and his family ask for privacy at this point in time as they navigate this loss. Updates will be given when appropriate.”

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra addressed Butler’s absence in a press conference before the game and sent him his support. “We’re here for him,” he said. The Heat recently suffered a seven-game losing streak, but since getting back their groove, they’ve won four of their last five games. While Butler—who played in all five recent games—won’t be with his team, Spoelstra added, “We’re playing a quality opponent today, and we’re looking forward to that.”

Miami Heat didn’t clarify how long the six-time All-Star will be out. Out of the Heat’s 52 games so far, Butler has played 37. Throughout the season, the SF has been dealing with injury woes, with his most recent absence being between December 20 and 28, when he missed four games. Given the situation now, there’s no doubt the team would give him as long as he needs. 

At this time, with all the support the Heat have shown him, so have his fans. As the team tweeted this update on Butler, X became a place where supporters could show their love and support as he navigates through this heart-wrenching phase. 

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Jimmy Butler’s love for his family is “always bigger than basketball”

Rewind to the start of the 2016-17 season. Remember how then-New Orleans Pelicans guard Jrue Holiday said, “My family comes before basketball”? That was when his wife, Lauren, was pregnant and diagnosed with a benign brain tumor. Holiday stepped away from the sport and put his family first. Only when he knew both mother and daughter were okay did he come back. The basketball world understood it then and understands it now with Jimmy Butler.

Cementing the fact that family always comes first, one fan wrote, “Take your time, family comes first, prayers.” Echoing this sentiment, another user commented, “Wishing Jimmy and his family all the best, he should take as much time as he needs.”

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The Miami Heat didn’t confirm which family member had passed, so a fan wrote, “Rest in peace to whoever died.” Another expressed something similar, writing, “Rest in peace. Best wishes to Jimmy. always bigger than basketball 🍀”

As Erik Spoelstra said, “We’re here form him,” a user expressed how the Heat community is standing by Butler as well. “Man, after he comes back, I hope we help him out and win a chip this year, and dedicate to whoever has passed in his family. Sending prayers their way.”

As followers sent “healing love and prayers to you and your family,” this became another classic example of how sports have the power to unite people.

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