NBA star Dwyane Wade called out those who said athletes should “shut up and dribble” instead of talking about politics following the school shooting in Parkland, Fla.
Joaquin Oliver was one of 17 people killed inside Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on Feb. 14. The 17-year-old was such a fan of the Miami Heat player that his parents buried him Wade’s jersey.
On Monday, Wade dedicated the rest of his season to Oliver, saying he would use his voice to speak up for him.
“This is why we will not just SHUT up and dribble! It’s way BIGGER than basketball,” Wade wrote on social media. “We are the voices for the people that don’t get to be heard. Joaquin Oliver may you Rest In Peace and i dedicate my return and the rest of this Miami Heat season to you.”
Professional basketball players have been feuding with Fox News host Laura Ingraham after she told LeBron James not to criticize President Trump.
“Millions elected Trump to be their coach,” Ingraham said. “So keep the political commentary to yourself, or as someone once said, shut up and dribble.”
NBA stars fired back, including Kevin Durant, who called the statement “racist.”
Wade’s family has also been directly affected by gun violence. In 2016, his cousin was killed in a shooting in Chicago.
Then-candidate Trump responded to the violence on Twitter.
“Dwayne Wade’s cousin was just shot and killed walking her baby in Chicago. Just what I have been saying. African-Americans will VOTE TRUMP!” he tweeted, misspelling the athlete’s name.
Wade accused Trump of using his cousin’s death “as a ploy for political gain.”