Struck With Life-Altering Tragedy, Udonis Haslem Asserts on Not Shedding a Single Tear at Heat Jersey Retirement Honor

Udonis Haslem is about to make history. The Miami Heat legend, in a matter of hours, will have his jersey hanging in the rafters and will become immortal for the Heat franchise. For most players, this is a defining moment of their legacy and often we see them shed a tear as the jersey goes up.

However, Haslem has run out of tears to shed. The Heat legend was recently asked if he is going to cry at the ceremony where he’ll surrounded by fans and ex-teammates.

Udonis Haslem bares his heart out with a sad truth

Haslem said, “No, I’m not going to cry. I think, weirdly enough, after losing my step-mom, I’m kind of numb. So I doubt I’ll cry.” But that doesn’t mean that he is not thankful for the honor. He said, “It doesn’t mean I’m not thankful. But I think I’ve shed enough tears.” Haslem has been through a lot in the last few years, and only weeks ago, he lost his ‘guardian angel’. Haslem has had a rough few years, losing his people. So, this honor from the Miami franchise might help cheer him up.

He said, “I lost my pops not even three years ago, I lost my mom and I just lost my step-mom. So for me, it’s weird right now. I’m in this numb space right now.” Despite everything that he has endured lately, he is positive that he will be able to enjoy the ceremony that’s been put up in his name, but crying during the ceremony seems a bit out of the picture for the Heat legend. “I’m definitely going to enjoy it and I’m thankful, but I don’t think I’m going to cry”, he added.

Haslem spent his entire career playing for the Heat and is regarded as one of the pillars of the revered Heat Culture. He went undrafted in the 2002 NBA Draft after which he went on to play for the Chalon-sur-Saône, a French professional basketball club. Soon, it was his time to enter the NBA as the Heat brought him in 2003.

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Since then, Haslem has been with the Miami franchise, playing for 20 years. He won three championships with the franchise and helped many youngsters, who joined the club since then, to adapt to the Heat Culture. This honor was bound to happen and Haslem and Heat fans are glad that it is happening so soon.

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