Jimmy Butler was homeless and alone at 13, but a friend's mom became his saving grace
Jimmy Butler started from absolute scratch in building a life that gave him a name, fame, and a game — literally. Life had been tough for him from the start. He never even knew who his father was, as he had walked away when Butler was still an infant.
Then, at just 13, his mother threw him out of the house. With no home or money, Butler kept himself going with the help of friends and made it to the NBA through sheer hard work, grit, and determination.
Jimmy Butler's journey from homeless teen to
NBA stardom
In an old interview with ESPN, Butler expressed his dislike for being pitied over his tough childhood. 'There's nothing to feel sorry about. I love what happened to me. It made me who I am. I'm grateful for the challenges I've faced.
Please, don't make them feel sorry for me.'
Butler has every right to the respect he's earned for surviving his teenage years by moving from one friend's house to another. 'I don't like the look of you. You gotta go,' his mother had said while throwing him out when he was just 13.
Among the friends who helped him was Jordan Leslie, who later became an NFL player. Leslie's mother welcomed Butler into their big family of six-seven children and let him stay with them for a few months — on one condition: he had to follow the same rules as her own kids.
Butler once revealed that he couldn't believe her graciousness, especially after how his own parents had treated him. Michelle Lambert, Leslie's mother, told ESPN, 'I told him my kids looked up to him. He had to stay out of trouble, work hard in school, and set an example. And you know what? Jimmy did it. Anything I asked him to do, he did it without asking questions.'
After managing to get through high school, it was Butler's basketball talent that paved the way forward.
He eventually earned an athletic scholarship to Marquette University, where he represented the college team and was named to the All-Big East Honorable Mention list twice during his second and third years.
Despite everything, Butler has said he loves his parents and occasionally meets them, holding no hard feelings.
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NBA Trade Rumors: Golden State Warriors predicted to land $20 million Boston Celtics center to support Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler and improve title odds
He is now a father to a daughter and two sons with his ex-girlfriend, Kaitlin Nowak. As a father, he pays $55,000 in child support. Regardless, his rags-to-riches story remains one of the most inspiring examples of someone who truly rose from the ashes.
Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
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