Wade said he's comfortable getting behind, supporting and talking about things that he wants toTwitter
Heat G Dwyane Wade's return to South Florida "transcends the basketball court," as he has "energized the city and the Heat fan base" both on and off the court, according to Tom D'Angelo of the PALM BEACH POST. Wade returns to a community in which his voice "resonates, especially with children who look to him as a role model." Because of that Wade "promises he will not 'shut up and dribble' when it comes to social issues." Wade said, "I’m comfortable getting behind, supporting and talking about things that I want to and I’m not really worried about the repercussions of it." He added, "I know my role in this life and I try to live up to it and I will continue to." Heat President Pat Riley said of Wade, "He has matured in a way like I haven’t seen many players." He added, "Is he going to become an activist or would he ever become an activist? I think one day there is a possibility that he could. People believe him. People will follow him" (PALM BEACH POST, 3/4). The MIAMI HERALD's Greg Cote ranked Wade No. 1 on his list of Miami's "Top 25 Sports Figures" for '18. Rounding out the top five were Serena Williams, Heat PresidentPat Riley, Marlins CEODerek Jeter and Dolphins WR Jarvis Landry (MIAMI HERALD, 3/3).
ABOVE & BEYOND: In Miami, Manny Navarro noted family members of Parkland shooting victim Joaquin Oliver were "special guests" of Wade for Saturday night's game against the Pistons at AmericanAirlines Arena. Wade has "dedicated the rest of his 15th season in the NBA" to Oliver by "writing his name on his sneakers every game." Oliver was "among the 17 people killed in the Valentine’s Day massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School," and the first person Wade "knows of who has ever been buried in one of his jerseys" (MIAMI HERALD, 3/4). In Ft. Lauderdale, Ira Winderman notes having learned that Oliver was buried in one of his replica jerseys, Wade "hastened the processing" of the team's Vice-edition jersey that is "on back order until July 1 for the general public." Included in the memorial offering was a "specially designed pair of sneakers from Wade's footwear line that featured Joaquin's name and the Stoneman Douglas logo." Wade: "I had somebody design them. I gave them to the family with that jersey. It's hard to get that jersey." Wade has been "outspoken about his outrage over the shootings and his support for the students offering their own voices toward a safer society" (South Florida SUN SENTINEL, 3/5).
