NFL's Daniel Muir embroiled in 'cult' controversy with ex-Colts player after teen son found

Former NFL player Daniel Muir has been embroiled in controversy following the discovery of his missing 14 year old son, with links to the religious community Straitway Truth Ministries, which is labeled a "cult" by detractors .

Daniel Muir, aged 40, now faces legal troubles being charged with domestic battery and obstruction of justice whilst his 38-year-old spouse Kristin Muir faces similar obstruction charges.

The couple allegedly concealed their son from law enforcement, amid allegations of abuse, after the boy was reported missing last month.

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Tennessee authorities unfolded a supposed "cult" existence following a high-tensity SWAT deployment on a faith-based compound. Past accounts, escalating before this occurrence, indicate that Muir's path to Straitway was influenced by ex-NFL colleague Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, a distinguished Green Bay Packers Hall of Famer, who also swayed another Indianapolis Colts companion, Robert Mathis, towards the group.

A 2020 Sports Illustrated piece recounted how Gbaja-Biamila, Muir's teammate at Green Bay, shared Pastor Charles Dowell of Straitway's videos with him. Muir, motivated to invalidate Dowell's views through biblical scrutiny, eventually found himself persuaded.

It's suggested that an encounter between Muir and Mathis, where Muir donned a Hebrew-inspired t-shirt, led to Mathis's introduction and subsequent involvement with Straitway. Maths's link with the group was acknowledged in a Sports Illustrated interview back in 2020.

He openly embraced his role in the group, flaunting it on social media where his Facebook page was filled with snaps of him, Muir, and their Indiana community kin.

Gbaja-Biamila has been at the helm of Straitway Praiseland in Wisconsin, a branch of the Straitway Truth Ministry. His ties to the ministry came under the spotlight in 2019 when he dispatched two armed followers to his kids' school Christmas play.

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The incident resulted in the arrest of the men for trespassing and carrying hidden firearms, dragging Gbaja-Biamila into legal troubles linked to the event. Yet, he continues to express his religious commitment on his X profile, which, despite being dormant since 2022, declares, "Disciple of Jesus Christ, Commandment Keeper, Green Bay Packer HOF."

Muir is now facing legal issues related to the group. After several unsuccessful attempts to reach the Muirs, Indiana State Police made an appeal to the public regarding Bryson's vanishing.

They issued a Silver Alert, describing Bryson as "missing and endangered."

A photo released with the Silver Alert depicted Bryson with a black eye. Muir's grandmother, Cheryl Wright, alerted authorities after seeing her grandson bruised and swollen, raising concerns about potential child abuse.

After an exhaustive search, Bryson was eventually located on Wednesday. His parents, Daniel Muir and his wife, were subsequently arrested.

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The pair is now facing accusations of domestic battery and obstruction of justice and have been remanded in custody without the option for bond. Additionally, there's a court directive preventing them from contacting Bryson.

This order is set for reconsideration on July 16, with their trial by jury scheduled for November 4.

The Muir family home is in Logansport, Indiana. Their abode is owned by the Servant Leader's Foundation, which has connections to the religious group Straitway Truth Ministries.

Their residence, situated at 1740 WUS Highway 24 and known as "Straitway Goshen," belongs to a network comprising more than a dozen enclaves associated with the sect Straighway Truth Ministry.

Led by Charles Dowell from Lafayette, Tennessee, this Hebrew Israelite group embraces a communal lifestyle apart from mainstream society.

In the aftermath, Dowell took to his personal YouTube channel to address his congregation specifically referring to them as Israelites. He decried the conduct of the raid on the compound, finding it offensive for its interruption of their dawn prayers.

Dowell referred to Daniel as Pastor Muir and contended that the press was misreporting the tally of individuals apprehended. Throughout his broadcast, he used the opportunity to endorse Straitway, providing a website and contact number.

Notably, several military-style weapons and a wooden menorah were displayed behind him.

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