Jayson Tatum: Did my father even like me?

Boston Celtics superstar Jayson Tatum candidly details his tough love, basketball-centric relationship with his father, Justin Tatum. Jayson recalls only spending time with his dad as a kid at basketball-related events or at the barber shop and remembers his dad’s very public abuse, even pinning him up against a locker in front of teammates. And through it all, Jayson says his dad was trying to strengthen and toughen him, and the tough love worked.
#JaysonTatum #Fatherhood #BallIsLife

Episode debuted nationwide in 2022.

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[kennystar]

This puts his extremely close and caring relationship with Deuce in perspective.

[Shabeck]

This is the saddest interview I’ve watched in a while. It definitely encourages me to let my son know how much I love him daily though.

[lovinglife]

Glad JT broke the cycle and has a great relationship with Deuce. He genuinely seems like a good father.

[bicmitchum]

The fact that his parents were super hard on him explains why he responds so well to Ime Udoka’s gritty coaching style. He seems like a super mature young man to be able to speak about these experiences and turn it into positive energy.

[Johnny-xjqu]

Trying to push your kid to greatness is one thing, berating and humiliating to get that greatness out of him is another. You can argue “Hey, it worked”, but you can’t say he wouldn’t have made it this far with positivity and toughness at the same time.

[yester]

It's not healthy to treat a kid like that, it can lead to a psychological issues, whether it be education or sport.

[theone]

Graham is like a sports therapist. Athletes open up to him like they are in therapy. Asks a simple question and just let them talk freely.

[BrookeLynn-srvy]

Jayson seems to be emotionally intelligent and doing better with his son than what he experienced. I hope he is receiving love for himself too now. We all deserve that.

[benkylo]

Seems like his father couldn't accept his failures and tried to live vicariously through his son. Thankfully Jayson seems like a wonderful father.

[angeliamartin]

Very proud of this young black man - so mature and grounded.

[Levi-]

Speaking from past experiences with parents and coaches, emotional abuse creates scars that’ll never go away!

[feliciacardone]

This interview made me so sad. I love Tatum. He seems to be a great dad, and a respectful young man, not to mention a hell of a player.
I'm so happy he didn't let his pain control his future.

[Olderthanilook]

He needed this release of those childhood demons. He needed this therapy. I pray that his father and him can restore and restart for that father/son relationship he so needs.

[jleezy]

I'd rather have my child not be a professional athlete if it had to come at the cost of not having a loving relationship with them. I find that kind of parenting gross. So happy Jayson can give Deuce what he never had. Jayson is an amazing father!!

[CarmenGlover]

What a relief that Jayson is able to overcome his traumatic relationship with his father and model a more wholesome, loving, and balanced parental bond with his son, Deuce, who adores him.

[sn]

I wish people could see that a person can certainly reach amazing heights without any trauma and abuse. All experiences aren’t necessary but I think it’s a defense mechanism when people say they wouldn’t trade a poor experience such as a abuse.

[nolan]

Many men use the excuse that they didn't have a father so they don't know how to be one and abandoned their duties. Good for him ending that BS excuse 👏

[christineryan]

Hugs to JT, that must've been tough going through all that. He is an amazing young man and a wonderful father. Sometimes you learn how not to be and that is just as valuable as learning how to be.

[sadiqqdaoud]

There will be people who will watch this and feel as though his father's abuse was justified because of Jason's success. His father abused him and to many people believe this is the way to go. I come across to many cases where adults are traumatized by their childhood.

[mengiequirante]

This made me cry… I’m
Happy he’s successful now and he has a loving relationship with his son