Yesterday (June 24, 2025), I had the distinct honor of meeting a basketball legend. Not at a fan event or basketball arena, but in a far more unexpected way—I was his driver for the evening. I picked him up from a restaurant, took him to his hotel to grab his bags, and then to the airport.

When he got into my car, I couldn’t contain my joy. I clapped my hands like an overexcited kid and said, “Man! This is my guy right here!”—like I’d just seen an old friend. In that moment, I was simply thrilled to meet someone I had admired for so long.

But it wasn’t until this morning that I fully grasped what had happened. God showed me that this was more than just a cool experience. A few weeks ago, I had read something negative about him online. An article highlighting a past indiscretion, trying to paint him as less than who he truly is. But I refused to engage in the gossip. I didn’t spread the story or let it shape my view of him. Instead, I felt compassion.

You see, I know what it’s like to have a past I wouldn’t want dug up or distorted. I know what it means to be a different man today than I was years ago. So instead of judgment, I extended silent protection—refusing to let someone’s past become their present in my eyes.

Then yesterday happened. Not only was I given the opportunity to meet a legend, but I was trusted to care for him in person. God revealed something so powerful: I protected him in conversation when he wasn’t present, and then God trusted me to protect him physically when he was. That’s not a coincidence. That’s divine orchestration.

I laughed in amazement when I saw it all come together. I wish I’d seen it while he was still in my car so I could’ve told him: “Bro, this is how much God loves you. He sent someone who stood up for your character without ever meeting you—and now He’s brought us face to face.”

He was gracious enough to take a photo with me, and I happened to be wearing my Good People Do Good shirt—the one I created for The Replanted Man. It felt like a divine stamp of affirmation.

This moment reminded me: God plants men in each other’s lives to protect, support, and reflect His grace—whether we know each other personally or not. Through Christ, we’re already connected. Sometimes, God doesn’t show you the meaning of a moment until afterward—but when He does, it humbles and honors you all over again.

So to every Replanted Man out there: Keep doing good even when no one sees it. Keep protecting reputations even when no one’s watching. Because God sees. And sometimes, He’ll trust you with the very people you once protected in secret.