“Nasty Anxiety”: Kyrie Irving’s Dad, Who Survived 9/11, Recalls Frightening Details of Escaping World Trade Centre

Kyrie Irving has become the talk of town due to his impeccable performance in the NBA finals series alongside his backcourt buddy, Luka Doncic. However, more than on-court praises, it’s also the occasion of Father’s Day. So there can be no better to discuss than Kyrie Irving’s father and Boston University alum Drederick Irving. However, the father who could not make it to the NBA and then came out safe from a drastic attack like 9/11 to raise an NBA star like Kyrie was not a small feat. After Kyrie’s mom died in 1996, Drederick had to move to New York to raise his two kids.

Somehow, he got a job on Wall Street with the help of family members. Just about seven months before the terrorists struck, Kyrie’s father had changed jobs to join Thomson Reuters at 3 Financial Square. Before, he worked as a financial broker for Garvan Securities on the 40th floor of the World Trade Center. Yet despite changing the company, Drederick still had to go through the World Trade Center buildings to get work. Reminiscing the horrible details of the attack, Kyrie’s father told Star-Telegram, “I made it out and couldn’t reach my kids. So you know, that disconnect there was definitely like a nasty anxiety.“

Interestingly, Drederick was one of the first ones to move out of the buildings while dodging the debris falling from above. However, nothing hurt him as he gave all the credit for it to his wife, Elizabeth. Expressing his gratefulness, Kyrie’s dad said, “They[kids] found out that I was good and I made it out. That goes back to… the angels like my mom and Liz, Kyrie’s mother.” It was truly a miracle that Kyrie’s father made it out safely that day. Otherwise, there would have been no Kyrie Irving to dominate the NBA world with his performance.

Kyrie Irving’s tribute to his Dad, Drederick Irving

There is no question that Kyrie’s father, Drederick, went through a lot as a single parent to raise Kyrie and his sister, Asia Irving. Before the NBA finals series commencement, he signed his father to his new ANTA shoe line. It was a historic day for the father-son bond as well as the sports world. According to the Athletic, it is the first time in pro sports a player has signed his dad to a signature shoe deal. Interestingly, Kyrie signed with Chinese company ANTA in 2023 after Nike dropped him in 2022.

“My father is the one who told me to want more… who told me not to settle, “ Kyrie once told during his interview with People magazine. Kyrie’s dad was a talented basketball player who was also inducted into the BU Hall of Fame. But Kyrie has a separate talent, along with his dribbling. However, Drederick acknowledged that Kyrie’s ball handle was something that was on par with his skills.

Drederick knew that he had something “special,” and he carved that talent. Now, that teenage boy has brought redemption to his team in the NBA finals series. There is no better superhero than a father, and Kyrie’s dad proved so. He inspired us all, along with Kyrie, to move forward despite all the odds.

Before leaving, make sure to check out some insights that Shaquille O’Neal’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, shared about WNBA star rookies Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark.