NBA Chaplain's History

Dr. Joel A. Freeman: One of the First Chaplains in the History of the NBA

Directly after the Washington Bullets/Wizards won the NBA World Championship (1977-78), I joined the team as mentor/chaplain for the team for 20 seasons -- available to be a sounding board for the players of the team, some in upper management, members of the coaching staff, and also players from other teams.

The Biggest Miracle?
I somehow survived 6 Coaches, including 3 General Managers! And you know what new coaches do at the pro level. Traditionally, they clear the deck and bring in their own people. That's their prerogative. But, for some reason, each of them kept me on as a part of the team:

Their individual and collective kindness -- including the owner, Abe Pollin...and the players and their families -- over a span of 20 seasons is truly a miracle to me. And I have no idea why each one allowed me to continue to do what I did for the players, their families, the staff and more. A continuity of service and goodwill. For that I am grateful to everyone...

COACHES: 1). Dick Motta 2). Gene Shue 3). Kevin Loughery 4). Wes Unseld 5). Jim Lyman 6). Bernie Bickerstaff

GENERAL MANAGERS: 1). Bob Ferry 2). John Nash 3). Wes Unseld

To my knowledge, I was one of the first 2-3 team chaplains in the history of the NBA. How I became chaplain during the heyday of Kevin Porter, Elvin Hayes, Kevin Grevey, Bernard King, Wes Unseld, Jeff Ruland, Rick Mahorn, John Lucas, Chris Webber, Mitch Kupchak, and Manute Bol is another story -- soon to be the subject of a new book I am working on.

At 25 years of age -- looking no older than 16/17 years -- I quickly learned how to do the basics. Duties involved team meetings before every home game, counseling, studying with the players, golfing, hanging out, spending time together discussing top-of-mind issues, helping new players and their wives feel welcome and a part of a new team culture, keeping in touch with their parents, and so much more.

Kind of a combined player development assistant, empathic listener, kick-butt coach, mentor, counselor, spiritual adviser, and confidant. The video, "Finding the Open Man", will provide a glimpse into what I did.

Players at the NBA level do not have an easy time. Their position in life attracts a lot of insincere people with hidden agendas (with some not-so-hidden agendas), get-rich-quick schemes and negative influences.

My job was to be a safe harbor for the players and their families. They knew that there would be absolute confidentiality, integrity and the truth...in their relationship with me.

Absolute confidentiality, integrity, unconditional love and trustworthiness are about 90% of the job!!!

Still keep in touch with a lot of the guys. I really miss the NBA players who have passed away: Wayman Tisdale, Manute Bol, Kevin Duckworth, Mel Turpin, Dan Roundfield, Armon Gilliam, Mark Eaton, and others...life is short.

I am now working on a book, tentatively titled: "LOOKING FOR THE OPEN MAN: The Surprising Benefits of Unselfishness" -- still working on it...hopefully published soon.

I have already interviewed well over 55-60 people for this book (e.g. Del Harris, Pat Williams, Mark Eaton, Kevin Porter, Claude Terry, Kevin Grevey, Phil Chenier, Brent Price, Bob Ferry, Helen Carpenter, Mayce Webber, Jerry Colangelo, Al Egg, Monica Wright [WNBA], Bill Alexson, Pete Babcock, John Jenkins, Kevin Harvey, Tony Evans, Chris Broussard [ESPN], Harry Swayne [NFL], Rod Hairston, John Tolson, and many more...)

The book will be addressing the various topics ranging from how the chaplaincy program started in the NBA and the 77/78 NBA Championship to stress at the pro level, emotional intelligence, James Naismith...the inventor of God's game, dealing with anger, head games, race relations, living for God on and off the court, diversity, lessons learned off the court that weren’t learned on the court, remembering players who have already left us (Wayman Tisdale, Dan Roundfield, Manute Bol, etc.), addressing the concept of Selfaholics Anonymous, and so much more.

Call me if you would like to read the first two chapters of the book (text: 410-991-9718).

The book will also provide a message from retired players to the current crop of players -- "Poise in the Noise" -- as well as practical lessons from sports that can be applied to anyone in business, relationships, and everyday life.

I want this to be a thoughtful, engaging book that will educate and inspire...as well as pull the curtain back for NBA fans to get a glimpse into the unique experiences at the pro level.

Since 2020 I have also served as a chaplain for the United States Secret Service -- available to speak at your organization (corporate, student event, men's breakfast, banquet, etc.)

100,000 Blessings,
Joel
Joel A. Freeman, Ph.D.

CONTACT INFO:
cell: 410-991-9718
email: [email protected]
bio: JoelSpeaksRealGood

NOTE: During my tenure as team chaplain I would occasionally bring friends and acquaintances with me to the arena. I never allowed cameras, asking for autographs, or "How's the weather up there?" jokes/comments in the back area of the arena because any of that kind of stuff would have harmed my relationship with the players. That's why I have a limited number of pictures from the old days as chaplain for the team.

However, there were some DC/Baltimore newspapers and other media outlets throughout the USA and Canada that wanted to do articles or human-interest stories for TV.

I asked the players only a few times in two decades if they would grant permission for a reporter and photographer to be a part of the pre-game chapel experience. Below are a few pictures from some of those articles.

In several of the pictures below I am about 35 years of age -- already having served a decade as team chaplain. I shake my head at how young I looked. You will too...

You will see some those images in the Photo Gallery, including images from the 40th anniversary of the Bullets winning the NBA championship...March 2018.

20 SEASONS with the Washington Bullets/Wizards:

1978/79

- COACH: Dick Motta....(GM, Bob Ferry)

42...Greg Ballard, 45...Phil Chenier, 40...Dave Corzine, 10...Bob Dandridge, 35...Kevin Grevey, 11...Elvin Hayes, 14...Tom Henderson, 15...Charles Johnson, 25...Mitch Kupchak, 22...Roger Phegley, 1...Kevin Porter, 41...Wes Unseld, 32...Larry Wright.

1979/80

- COACH: Dick Motta....(GM, Bob Ferry)

20...Gus Bailey, 42...Greg Ballard, 12...Ron Behagen, 4...Lawrence Boston, 45...Phil Chenier, 33...Jim Cleamons, 40...Dave Corzine, 10...Bob Dandridge, 35...Kevin Grevey, 11...Elvin Hayes, 25...Mitch Kupchak, 4...Steve Malovic, 22...Roger Phegley, 1...Kevin Porter, 41...Wes Unseld, 23...John Williamson, 32...Larry Wright.