“I wouldn’t be standing here without any of you.” That wasn’t just a line, it was a moment. A raw, unfiltered outpouring of gratitude from Dwyane Wade on the night his jersey rose to the rafters. It wasn’t scripted for effect. It was more like honoring his teammates, his family, and the man who shaped his career, Erik Spoelstra. That night, his speech wasn’t just a farewell; it was a symphony of emotion. That’s why, even now, his jersey retirement speech still echoes in the hearts of his fans. But ever wonder who actually put those feelings into words? Who shaped that speech Wade delivered so effortlessly?
After stepping away from basketball’s hot seat, Dwyane Wade faced a big question: what’s next? While his philanthropic efforts were always a priority, he needed a new path. And for a man who’s lived under the world’s magnifying glass for his whole life, starting his own podcast made perfect sense, didn’t it? But speaking with the same mastery he had on the court? That’s a whole different game. This time, Wade personally reached out to Arthur Joseph, the CEO of Vocal Awareness, to master the art of speaking. He was the one behind Wade’s speeches, from his jersey retirement to his Hall of Fame induction. And now? He’s giving credit where it’s due to the team that helped shape his voice in silence.
“Vocal Awareness has made a really big impact on me, has really challenged me in more ways than I’ve been challenged in the game of basketball in a long time,” Wade once said this personally to “Vocal Awareness”. And now, he’s making sure his fans know exactly why we hear him the way we do, why his words hit so deep, why his emotions feel so raw. There’s another impetus behind it all. Wade recently shared a Vocal Awareness post in his story, featuring a picture titled EXTRAORDINARY DEDICATION. It highlighted how Wade, through their guidance, delivered one of the most heartfelt messages of his life. Can you guess it? It’s his jersey retirement speech. And in true Wade fashion, he made sure the team behind his voice got the credit they deserved.
Jan 14, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Former Miami Heat player Dwayne Wade salutes the fans and cameras after a special ceremony during halftime of the game between the Miami Heat and the Charlotte Hornets at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-Imagn Images
Vocal Awareness helped Dwyane Wade become a champion in another realm, but let’s be real, this man has earned our respect. He knows exactly how to give credit where it’s due. And this isn’t the first time, is it? Dwyane Wade has always been about gratitude. Remember when he honored arguably his greatest fan who ever lived?
Dwyane Wade Drops a Heartfelt Tribute to His Ultimate Day-One Fan
Dwyane Wade has had millions of fans throughout his career, but one name will always stand out. A fan so devoted that even after his passing, he chose to be buried in Wade’s Miami Heat jersey. February 27, 2018. A night that wasn’t just about basketball. Wade turned back the clock, delivering a vintage performance that reminded Miami why they loved him. More than just stats, and highlights, this game was about honoring someone. Joaquin Oliver, a student at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, was one of the 17 lives lost in the tragic Parkland shooting. Joaquin’s parents had revealed on Univision’s Al Punto that their son was laid to rest in his beloved Wade jersey.
Wade heard the story, and he felt it. That night, he took the court with Oliver’s name written on his sneakers and put on a performance that felt bigger than the game itself. He dropped 15 of Miami’s final 17 points, sealing a 102-101 win over the 76ers. It was as if fate had taken over. After the game, Wade’s words carried the weight of a man who understood what that moment meant.
“For me, it’s just giving whatever I can to people who believe in me, and especially people who were happy about me coming back here, who embrace me the way that I only can dream of with me coming back home. So just paying some due respect to [Oliver] and his family tonight.” But we as fans can understand that It wasn’t just respect. It was love. It was gratitude. Nothing but it was Wade being Wade, always making sure the people who believed in him knew he believed in them, too.
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