Greatness isn’t always measured in banners and MVPs; it goes beyond. Sometimes it’s sewn subtly into a man’s character, through the way he carries himself when no one is watching, or when life calls on him to face private storms in public. For Isiah Thomas, the moments that have defined him go far beyond the hardwood. They live in silence, in tributes and memories, and most recently in a powerful gesture of remembrance of one of his loved ones that made him who he is today.

There is no secret that Thomas has spoken honestly about how the Bell’s palsy diagnosis changed how he looked, but not how he felt about it in the past few months. Even while followers are worried about his health, a deeper message came out online. Thomas uploaded a post on Instagram that was split between time and honor. On one side was a picture of a younger guy, the father who raised him. On the other hand, there was a perfectly folded American flag in a glass display case. This kind is given only to the families of fallen U.S. veterans. The post wasn’t about him; it was about the man who shaped him to become who he is.

“Father, I appreciate you and love you more and more each day; we thank you for your service. #inheavennow,” Thomas wrote. Paired with the soulful instrumental “Love’s Theme” by The Love Unlimited Orchestra, the post stood as a heartfelt tribute to his late father. There were no frills, just truthfulness. The folded flag, which is a military sign, meant more than just death. It stood for loyalty, principles, and the kind of lasting gift that a father gives to his son.

Isiah Thomas was named after his father, Isiah Lord Thomas II. He was a soldier who fought in World War II and was wounded in the Battle of Saipan. Thomas II worked for International Harvester in Chicago, where he made history by becoming the company’s first African-American foreman or supervisor. This was a big deal since it showed how skilled and determined he was in a time when race was a big issue. He went to trade school after his time in the military and learned how to interpret blueprints. This helped him get the job as a supervisor at International Harvester.

For Thomas, this wasn’t just about the pride of the family; it was about a moment of convergence. As the world sees a basketball legend who has won two NBA titles with the Pistons and is a 12-time All-Star, and whatnot, fighting facial paralysis, what Thomas offered was clarity: he is a product of a man who taught him strength through service. The display case didn’t just house a flag; it held the reason Thomas keeps showing up even when he has his own struggles as a 64-year-old man.

Isiah Thomas stands strong through sickness

Back in December 2024, during an appearance on Mark Jackson’s Come And Talk 2 Me podcast, Thomas was revealed to be living with Bell’s palsy, which is a condition that causes temporary weakness and paralysis on one side of the face. The story gave more information on his recent public appearances, where people saw that his face was drooping. “I’m dealing with it, I’m showing up, I ain’t taking off,” he said on NBA TV later that month—words now echoed more deeply through the lens of his father’s sacrifice.

Inflammation of the facial nerve is a common cause of Bell’s palsy. Most of the time, it goes away on its own, although it can be hard on both the mind and body. Thomas has had a lot of support from fans and peers. He donned sunglasses at the 15th Annual Jalen Rose Leadership Academy Golf Classic in May, marking one of his starring appearances recently. Derrick Rose honored him online, calling him “the best @detroitpistons of all-time.”

The Detroit legend’s tenacity is not new. Thomas had been working to improve health even before he was diagnosed himself. His daughter Lauren’s fight with narcolepsy and cataplexy got him involved in the public health discourse, where he used his platform to fight stigma and false information. Thomas has always transformed problems into opportunities for learning, whether as a father or a son.