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He has been really good to Richards over the years.
By Pat Disabato
They say success and the money that comes with it often changes a person.
Much has changed for Dwyane Wade since he graduated from Richards in 2000.
He's won three NBA championships, an Olympic gold medal, played in 12 NBA All-Star games and was an NBA Finals MVP.
He's earned more than $152 million during his 13-year NBA career, a sum that will increase after agreeing to a two-year, $47.5 million dollar deal last week with the Bulls. He also has a steady flow of cash from endorsements. Wade has his own brand of sneakers, neckties, socks and underwear.
Wade, though, has never forgotten where he came from. It's an admirable trait — giving back. But Wade is in a class by himself.
It wasn't a public relations strategy when Wade mentioned his hometown of Robbins and the Blue Island Recreational Center in the press release announcing he was signing with the Bulls.
Wade has remained supremely loyal to those who helped mold him into the person and player he is. His love and loyalty to Richards should inspire, not cause a raised eyebrow.
Eliud Gonzalez was the starting point guard on Richards' 2008 Class 4A state champion. The summer after his freshman season at Illinois Wesleyan, Gonzalez returned to Richards to rehab from an injury.
Someone else also happened to be there that day.
"Wade was training at Richards," said Gonzalez, now a sales consultant based out of Seattle. "He comes up to me and says, 'Hey Gonzo, how is your knee?' I was shocked. I didn't even know that he knew who I was.
"He was genuinely concerned about how I was doing. He's just one of the guys."
When the Bulldogs advanced to the 4A state title game against Zion-Benton, Wade chartered a plane from Miami to Peoria to support his alma mater.
I covered that game. I also covered D-Wade when he was at Richards.
Wade wasn't searching for the spotlight in Peoria. There wasn't a camera crew following him around. In fact, he made it a point to keep the attention on the Bulldogs' players and coaches. He didn't demand a special section to watch the game. He sat with his friends and family in the crowd, cheering his alma mater.
Wade had the financial means to enjoy that Saturday night anywhere in the world. He chose to spend it in Peoria rooting for Richards. And maybe to provide some inspiration.
Wade's act of selflessness remains the most special moment of my career.
Now an assistant varsity basketball coach at Richards, Corey Wolf was a reserve guard for Richards that season. He recalled what seeing Wade in the arena meant to the players.
"When we came out of the tunnel from the locker room on to the court, he was standing there," Wolf said. "It was surreal. It gave us so much motivation. After the game, he was emotional. I felt like there were tears in his eyes.
"He made sure to talk to each one of the players individually and to give us a hug. I still can't put into words what that meant."
But that wasn't the first time Wade had went out of his way for his alma mater. The previous summer, Richards was playing in a tournament at Loyola University.
"He just showed up and stayed for three or four games," Wolf said. "We lost to Whitney Young in the championship. He took us all out to McDonald's afterward. He told us to stay focused, stay motivated and stay together. He put things in perspective for us and gave us some advice. That's the type of person he is."
Gonzalez summed up Wade's generosity best.
"He's so successful on so many levels," Gonzalez said. "He's the greatest Miami sports figure ever. Bigger than Dan Marino. But he's stayed humble. He's never forgotten where he's come from. A kid from Robbins."
_________________ Frank Coztansa wrote: conns7901 wrote: Not over yet. Yes it is. CDOM wrote: When this is all over, which is not going to be for a while, Trump will be re-elected President.
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