The NBA lost a distinguished member of its family when Jacob R. Butler passed away last Thursday at the age of 61. Butler was a former Chaplain for the Washington Wizards from 1999-2009. A sports enthusiast, Butler was introduced to the Wizards by longtime friend and Hall of Famer, Wes Unseld. Alongside team Chaplain, Joel Freeman, Butler shared Bible teachings and offered counseling to the players before every home game. Later, when asked to become the team’s full-time Chaplain, Butler attended numerous games, traveled to NBA All-Star Weekends and also had the pleasure of officiating marriages of several NBA players. Butler is survived by his wife, Debbie; Vera Butler, mother of his three children; Jake, Kamla, J’Nay and stepdaughter, Brittney.