“Daddy's injury made me sad”: Jayson Tatum's son shares heartfelt letter that's leaving fans in tears
In the world of professional sports, we often view superstars as invincible icons. But through the eyes of an eight-year-old, a superhero is someone who learns how to walk again just to play a game of driveway hoops. In the latest issue of
SLAM Magazine (#261), Deuce Tatum , the NBA’s most famous son, penned (with a little help) a moving tribute to his father, Jayson Tatum , detailing the long road back from a devastating Achilles injury.
Deuce Tatum calls his dad a superhero and fans can’t hold back tears
The feature, titled "The Journey Back," gives fans a rare, domestic look at Jayson’s recovery. Deuce recalls the early days after surgery when his father was relegated to a scooter and crutches. "When Daddy first got injured, I felt sad," Deuce writes. "I’d ask my dad what he was sad about and give him ideas on other things to do."
While the basketball world worried about the Celtics' championship window, Deuce was worried about his dad’s "scooter." He describes helping fold up his father’s walker and challenging him to shooting contests because "since you’re hurt, I can beat you now." It’s a reminder that while Tatum is a five-time All-Star to the fans, to Deuce, he is simply a dad who needed a hug and some "Red Hot Riplets" (their favorite snack) to get through the day.
In one of the most charming sections of the letter, Deuce rates his father’s toughness on a scale of 1 to 100. He gives Jayson a "79," explaining with childhood logic that while his dad isn't a professional bodybuilder, he is "really, really, really strong" for fighting through physical therapy. Deuce watched his father work with trainers daily, pushing through the pain of the "scar on his foot" with one goal in mind: getting back to the "us" mentality of the Boston Celtics .
The viral quote that has captured the internet's heart serves as the emotional finale to the piece: "I’m proud of my Dad. But I’m also so happy for my Dad that he’s winning games now that he’s playing, and that he can keep winning games so he can get ourselves to the Championship."
As the Celtics push toward another deep playoff run in 2026, this letter has become a rallying cry for Boston. It frames the quest for another banner not just as a professional pursuit, but as a family mission. For Jayson Tatum, the "Power of Will" wasn't found in a gym, it was found in the little boy who carried his walker up the stairs, waiting for the day his "Big Daddy Superhero" could fly again.
Deuce Tatum calls his dad a superhero and fans can’t hold back tears
The feature, titled "The Journey Back," gives fans a rare, domestic look at Jayson’s recovery. Deuce recalls the early days after surgery when his father was relegated to a scooter and crutches. "When Daddy first got injured, I felt sad," Deuce writes. "I’d ask my dad what he was sad about and give him ideas on other things to do."
While the basketball world worried about the Celtics' championship window, Deuce was worried about his dad’s "scooter." He describes helping fold up his father’s walker and challenging him to shooting contests because "since you’re hurt, I can beat you now." It’s a reminder that while Tatum is a five-time All-Star to the fans, to Deuce, he is simply a dad who needed a hug and some "Red Hot Riplets" (their favorite snack) to get through the day.
In one of the most charming sections of the letter, Deuce rates his father’s toughness on a scale of 1 to 100. He gives Jayson a "79," explaining with childhood logic that while his dad isn't a professional bodybuilder, he is "really, really, really strong" for fighting through physical therapy. Deuce watched his father work with trainers daily, pushing through the pain of the "scar on his foot" with one goal in mind: getting back to the "us" mentality of the Boston Celtics .
The viral quote that has captured the internet's heart serves as the emotional finale to the piece: "I’m proud of my Dad. But I’m also so happy for my Dad that he’s winning games now that he’s playing, and that he can keep winning games so he can get ourselves to the Championship."
As the Celtics push toward another deep playoff run in 2026, this letter has become a rallying cry for Boston. It frames the quest for another banner not just as a professional pursuit, but as a family mission. For Jayson Tatum, the "Power of Will" wasn't found in a gym, it was found in the little boy who carried his walker up the stairs, waiting for the day his "Big Daddy Superhero" could fly again.
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