Dwyane Wade’s final game at AmericanAirlines Arena was running high with emotions from the many tributes to the future Hall of Famer, but none brought out the tears quite like the one from Budweiser.
Budweiser’s tribute was an emotional commemoration of Wade’s season-long jersey exchanges with other NBA stars that included several personal twists, including a reflective moment to Wade’s emotional response to last year’s horrific Parkland shootings and one family that he most touched.
With Wade retiring after 16 stellar seasons, the tribute elicited the type of heartfelt words from those touched as much by the man as the moments he created on the court.
The 13-time NBA All-Star selection was known as much for his contributions in the community as what he did on the court.
Wade has been honored several times by the NBA for his dedication to community outreach, most recently receiving the March 2018 NBA Cares Community Assist Award for his support of students and the Parkland community after the tragic shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. He also was honored with the 2012-13 NBA Cares Community Assist Award for his Wade’s World Foundation’s efforts to support community-based organizations that promote education, health and social skills for at-risk children.
Wade, 37, is a three-time NBA champion and a 2008 Olympic gold medalist with USA Basketball. He earned the 2006 Bill Russell NBA Finals MVP Award after leading the Heat to their first NBA title, later winning championships with the Heat in 2012 and ’13 alongside LeBron James and Chris Bosh.
An eight-time All-NBA Team selection and three-time NBA All-Defensive Team member, Wade has joined James and Michael Jordan as the only players in NBA history to record at least 20,000 points, 5,000 assists, 4,000 rebounds, 1,500 steals, 800 blocked shots and 500 three-pointers.
The 2008-09 NBA scoring champion, Wade ranks 30th on the league’s career points list. The Chicago native is the Heat’s franchise leader in points, assists, steals, field goals made, free throws made and games played.