15/04/2023
Brother Scottie Pippen
Even non-basketball fans can remember the Chicago Bulls historic run of six National Championship titles between 1991 and 1998. While many Masons might think of this time and remember Michael Jordan, it’d be remiss to not acknowledge Brother Scottie Pippen’s contributions to one of the NBA’s great dynasties.
Brother Pippen was born on September 25, 1965 in Hamburg, Arkansas. As one of 11 siblings, Scottie’s basketball career began humbly compared to many other renowned players. He earned his start as walk-on recruit at the University of Central Arkansas, a university outside of the prestigious NCAA division - making his #8 NBA draft pick even more impressive.
During his professional career, Brother Pippen played 17 seasons in the NBA where he won six National Championships with the Chicago Bulls alongside a series of other accolades, including: 7-time NBA All Star player, named one of the 50 greatest players in NBA history, one of four players to have his Chicago Bulls jersey retired (ironically but unrelated, #33), and is one of only two players to have won an NBA title and Olympic Gold medal in the same year. Today, he is considered one of the greatest small forwards of all time and is credited, alongside the rest of the 1990s Chicago Bulls team, with popularizing basketball around the world.
Brother Pippen is a Prince Hall Mason from Unity Lodge No.454 in Arkansas.
Freemasons are Masters of their craft, often in more ways than one. The achievements of our Brothers past and present, like the Masonic athletes mentioned above, continue to inspire our fraternity and leave a legacy for men everywhere to aspire to.
Side note for all the conspiracy theorist. His number has nothing to do with freemasonry.