Teens Playing Basketball Kneel for Funeral Procession

These basketball players paused their game to kneel for a funeral.

The young men were playing outside a junior high school when they noticed the funeral procession. Two cousins of the deceased snapped a photo and say they were “deeply touched” by the tribute.  

Via a Facebook post, one of the cousins, Lynn Bickham Bienvenu wrote, “While attending a family funeral the procession passed a group of young boys shooting hoops. Take a look closely. They took a knee not out of disrespect, but out of honor. There was not an adult in sight to tell them to stop playing. This meant a great deal to our family. May God bless each one as I feel they will achieve greatness.”
Along with the post, the photo went viral on Facebook and one of the teens was able to connect with the family. He offered his condolences and shared the names of his friends: Shimar Davis, Shimon Davis, Edward James, Brandon Burton, Quindon Burris, Stacey Ard, James Bickman, Avant Money, Malachi Martin, and Kalarrian Dillon.

The teens reportedly told the family that their coach taught them the meaning of respect and the importance of taking a knee, and their gesture was definitely a small hopeful aspect of an otherwise forlorn day.