Dwyane Wade's jersey exchanges during his final season in the NBA have elicited heartfelt reactions from those who shared in the moments with the Miami Heat star, but it would be hard to match the level of emotions captured in a new Budweiser ad.
.@DwyaneWade's legacy is bigger than basketball. Watch how we surprised him in honor of his #OneLastDance. #ThisBudsFor3 pic.twitter.com/naFsONpRjN
— Budweiser (@budweiserusa) April 9, 2019
Wade, who plays his final home game in AmericanAirlines Arena on Tuesday night, walks into the empty arena as the advertisement opens. "I have no idea who's coming," Wade says. "No idea."
The first of five individuals then approaches Wade with her own article of clothing to share. The first person is Andrea Ghersi, whose brother, Joaquin Oliver, was one of the 17 shooting victims at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, on Feb. 14, 2018.
"You mean so much to us, and my brother, Joaquin, loved you from the beginning," Ghersi said
Oliver was buried in Wade's No. 3 jersey.
Ghersi presented Wade with a basketball jersey her brother wore.
The last of the five to greet Wade and thank him for the impact he had on their lives was his mother, Jolinda, who talked about Wade's support as she battled drug dependency.
Other presenters were:
Merrilyn Beard-Breland, whose house burned down 10 days before Christmas. The seamstress of 40 years worked out of her house and lost all of her belongings. Wade helped financially and took her and her family on a shopping spree at Target. She presented Wade with a t-shirt she made.
Tamara Johnson attended Wade's alma mater, Marquette, on a scholarship funded by Wade and his foundation. She became the first person in her family to graduate and presented Wade with her graduation gown.
Danny Arzu is a volunteer and mentor at the Overtown Youth Center who chose his path after meeting Wade at a basketball camp and being inspired by someone who also rose from tough surroundings. He presented the suit jacket he wore at his first job interview.
