Miami Heat superstar Jimmy Butler is one of the NBA's toughest players. A rugged wingman who isn't afraid to mix it up against anyone in the league, Butler is known for his fierce competitive spirit and relentless work ethic on the court.
But behind his tough exterior lies a profoundly emotional individual. This was on full display in Netflix's brand-new documentary series, "Starting 5," where the former Marquette stalwart talked about his father, Jimmy Butler Sr., passing in February 2024.
Jimmy messed around and got a triple-double
On February 7, 2024, the six-time All-Star showcased his all-around skills by tallying a triple-double of 17 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists in a 116-104 win over the San Antonio Spurs. Immediately after the game, he scribbled the date on his shoes and took them to the hospital to hand to his father.
Butler saw how stoked his father was about his latest feat. However, the 6-foot-7 wingman had to fly somewhere to attend his brother's wedding. While he was in the air, Jimmy shared he received a text from his agent.
"I was like, 'Nobody ever texts me when I'm in the air, 'Have I landed yet?'" Butler stated. "So that's when I knew my dad had passed at what, February 8th, 1:04 a.m. or something like that. It's crazy that that triple-double was the last game that my dad was alive."
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A pain even basketball couldn't fix
Any true-blue hooper would admit that basketball is their escape whenever they're stressed or feeling down. It's the one place where everything else fades away, and it's just them and the game. But for Jimmy, even basketball couldn't help him cope with the sudden loss of his father.
"When you lose somebody that's that dear to you, and that's taught you so much, that has seen you grow from a kid to a young adult to a star to the man I am today as a father, then all of a sudden, he's not there anymore. I didn't know what to do. No amount of money in the world could bring him back. Basketball, no matter how much I played it, it couldn't fix that," Butler said in the series' most heartfelt moment.
Reeling from the personal loss, the five-time All-NBA Team member took some time off from the Heat and missed three straight games. Despite his efforts to persevere through the heaviness in his heart, Butler's vulnerability was evident in his performances and demeanor.
"Athletes are going through something, too. We hurt, and we cry, we grieve, we're angry. Something's going on in our lives, and you can't see it, just like we don't understand what's going on in your life either. But that doesn't make us bad people for being human," Butler disclosed.
Following the Heat's first-round exit in the playoffs last season, Butler heads to this season with something to prove. With Tyler Herro healthy and Bam Adebayo looking to bring his game to the next level, Jimmy Buckets is looking to lead the Heat back to championship contention.
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