As fans gathered to tell Dwyane Wade goodbye and as he gets ready to enjoy his retirement, he received a surprise from Barack Obama.
On Tuesday, the former president posted a video where he praised Gabrielle Union’s husband for having an impressive career in the NBA and joked that his bad knees k illed his prospects of becoming a professional basketball player.
Obama’s tribute video was posted on social media by the Miami Heat ahead of Wade’s final home game.
Obama confessed: “D-Wade! Congratulations on a great run. Now, I know what you’re going through because saying goodbye to a career that you love is never easy. I’ve been there. In my case, though, I didn’t really have a choice.”
No. 44 salutes No. 3. #L3GACY
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) April 10, 2019
Special words for @DwyaneWade from @BarackObama! pic.twitter.com/GADfeq4jT6
The former senator went on to joke about his failed NBA career: “My knees were shot, so I had to give up basketball forever. You, on the other hand, look like you’re still hooping out there. And I imagine it’s a little tougher when you’ve just completed one of the greatest careers in NBA history.”
Obama went on to say: “You were willing to sacrifice your body in the lane and sometimes sacrifice your ego in pursuit of a title. And whenever you got knocked down, you always showed us how to get back up. So you showed some Chicago spirit in you, and you did us proud.”
The 57-year-old former president concluded by wishing the athlete well with his future plans: “I hope the next phase of your life is just as fulfilling and just as spectacular as this one has been. Take care.”
Wade said this about his retirement: “I’ll be in therapy. I already told my wife, we need to do it a little bit. I was always against it, someone who doesn’t know me, telling me how to live my life and giving me instructions. I need somebody to talk to about it because it’s a big change and I have a long life to live, and there’s other great things I can accomplish. I have no idea what it is yet that I want to do. But, I want to do a little bit of everything. I want to see what I can be great at. I’m so used to being great at something.”
One fan told the athlete: “Miami will forever love you. Thank you for the endless memories! #WadeCountyForever ”
Another commenter stated: “#OneLastDance 16 years I’ve been a fan. You did this team a whole lot of good, love ya man G.O.A.T. Thank you for everything forever for all in @miamiheat. King!!! ”