Gone In A Flash But Not Forgotten: Wade's Lasting Impact On Miami
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Dwyane Wade was more than a celebrity jock. He had substance. He had compassion. He had style. He worked for community. He was a role model. And it's why South Florida loved him.
"Dwyane Wade he is my favorite player," a young child told CBS4's Hank Tester.
Certainly "the favorite" on the hardwood, but there was much more.
"He did everything right. He had the great family, great career, great spokesman, a class act," Bruce Turkel said.
Turkel is internationally known branding expert. He said Wade carried his grace on the court into the community.
"He understood that he was a public figure, he was in the public eye and as I said he was a class act and looked his best all the time," Turkel said.
Looking great for sure, but more importantly was his involvement with kids.
He gave clinics and sponsored camps.
The Wade's World Foundation provides support to community-based organizations that promote education, health and social skills for children in at-risk situations.
"Dwyane Wade, Wade County? He's one of us," Turkel said.
And the Dwyane Wade brand meant business, especially packing the AmericanAirlines Arena.
Bill Talbert heads the convention and visitors bureau. Wearing his Wade shades, he pointed to a championship license plate.
"It was great for business. Business boomed during the NBA playoffs and we kind of got used to it," he said.
And like his alter-ego the "Flash," he's gone in an instant – but never forgotten.
As Turkel told Tester, "Dwyane Wade was Miami."
