NBA superstar Dwyane Wade recently admitted that his decision to join his hometown team Chicago Bulls is "bigger than basketball" as he wants to "help bring people together" in the city using what influence he had earned as one of the most popular basketball players in the world.
NBC Sports' Pro Basketball Talk reported that the 34-year-old Wade had decided to leave Miami after 13 years and join the Bulls as he wants to come home "to a city torn apart by violence - one where his cousin, Nykea Aldridge, was shot pushing her stroller down the street - and he wants to take steps to end the cycle of violence".
Wade's cousin was a mother of four and was killed as an innocent in a crossfire between two gangs shooting at each other.
"My purpose for being back in the city is bigger than basketball. Basketball is a big part of it, of course; it's what I do for a living," Wade said in a radio interview, as transcribed by Chat Sports. "But I think my purpose at the end of the day hopefully is to come to Chicago and be a part, be a voice that can help bring people together."
"Now I'm back in the city of Chicago - I'm back for a reason. I played 13 years in Miami. Now I'm back in the city, let me see what I can do as one person to help lend my voice and help shed light on the tragedy that's going on and find a solution to start the process of making change," he added.
Wade also mentioned that the Chicago police is "fighting a war" against gang violence and that "they can do a lot better" and "can get more help" to win the battle.
The Chicago PD then later issued an official statement to answer Wade's comments, saying that they acknowledge they are in a war and that they "do need help" in the fight against gang and gun violence.
While an issue this all-encompassing will definitely need more than one man's influence to fix, Wade's willingness to be one of the "leaders to help push it along" will indeed be welcomed by the city.
