“I’mma Celebrate You”: Amidst “Rocks & Garbage” Being Thrown In, 3X NBA Champion Dwyane Wade Restates His Stance on the Outside Noise

After this weekend, Dwyane Wade won’t just be a retired NBA pro with three championship titles to his name. He’s going to be a Hall of Famer. But nothing beats the exemplary inspiration he has been lately as a parent in the public domain. ‘The Flash’ and his wife, Gabrielle Union, have been supportive of the former’s daughter, Zaya Wade, through her coming out and been vocally supportive of the LGBTQ+ youth too.

Not too long ago, Wade revealed the major decision they took as a family for Zaya’s safety. But no matter what, there’s nothing this proud dad won’t do for her. He echoed the sentiment to the hosts of The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz.

Dwyane Wade will do everything to give Zaya a normal life

Ahead of his Hall of Fame induction, Dwyane Wade stopped by Dan Le Batard’s flagship show to discuss his career and life. Inevitably, Wade’s daughter came up.

Zaya Wade came out as trans when she was 12. The NBA star and his family have since become major allies of the LGBTQA+ community while supporting Zaya.

READ MORE: “I Was Almost Terrified”: Breaking Stigma to Face Painful End in 2019, Dwyane Wade and Wife Gabrielle Disclose Contrasting Ways of Handling Anxiety

Appearing on the digital cover of Parents magazine, Wade and Gabrielle Union spoke about relocating the entire family from Florida to California. They made this decision for Zaya’s sake. Wade has also previously revealed his anxiety for his daughter’s safety when she steps out.

The hosts of the show were emphatic when they said that Wade is getting “rocks and garbage thrown at him for supporting your daughter.” As much as the veteran of sports media glorifies Wade as a star in Florida, he had to ask if he ever imagined leaving the Sunshine State just so he could freely exercise “parental love.”

Wade acknowledged the sentiment. He would say that they’re seen as a “superhero” on the court. But off the court, “I’m just like everyone else,” including a regular father. He revealed a promise he made to himself that if he ever makes any mistakes, it won’t be regarding his kids.

Regarding all his kids, he wants to be the father that “understands that you’re not me and that you are you and let me get to know you. And in the midst of that I’mma celebrate you, I’mma love you, no matter what you do, no matter what you are.”

Wade is the greatest hype-dad

What any kid needs is the greatest hype-man in their dad. Which Zaya has in Dwyane for sure, along with her siblings.

Having experienced it with his dad, Wade also wanted to be the kind of father who fully believes in his children. “And so my choice is to love regardless of the hate.”

Dwyane will always be the protective dad. But he’s found a better outlet to tune out the negativity. He’s been an example for other parents of LGBTQ+ youth and they’ve also welcomed the Wade family with love and support.

“I do appreciate the families that have approached my family and I, that sends us flowers, that sends us letters, that thanks us for speaking out on something that may seem to be uncomfortable because of the hate we get.” He said that he focusses on this love, “because there’s [sic] so many lives that are being changed.”

He reiterated the point he’s made several times before Zaya is leading a normal life like any other 16-year-old. She’s got a modeling career ahead of her and doesn’t need to be discussed in a negative light. That’s why Wade continues to navigate through it as a family.

As usual, Dwyane Wade is standing by his morals as an inspiring father. What did you think about his heartfelt words?

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