Dwight Howard Thanks Magic Fans In Full-Page Newspaper Ad


by Eldon Khorshidi | @eldonadam

It’s been roughly three weeks since the Dwightmare, to the relief of basketball fans everywhere, finally came to an end. After an excessive, year-long standstill, the Orlando Magic pulled the trigger and shipped Dwight to the Los Angeles Lakers, in the process practically uprooting their whole roster and conceding to starting anew. Still, Rob Hennigan had to do something—anything—to erase the cancerous cloud engulfing the organization.

Even though Howard is now donning purple and gold, though, the superstar center is still (seemingly) holding the city of Orlando close to his heart. On Sunday, he took out a full-page advertisement in the Orlando Sentinel, thanking Magic fans for their undying love and support through eight memorable seasons.

More details, and the full advertisement, via the Orlando Sentinel:

Dwight Howard is professing his love for the city of Orlando and its fans. Howard purchased a full-page ad in today’s Orlando Sentinel to convey the message. In that ad, which appears on Page C7, Howard said, “To play the game of basketball in the NBA is a blessing and to have had the opportunity to play before the Orlando fans for eight years was truly a privilege and an honor. Words cannot express the love that I have for Orlando. With your support we have done great things in this city from hanging banners to impacting our youth. Although my career with the Magic has come to a close, my love for the city and the people that make it beautiful will never end.” Howard, who had requested a trade, was sent by the Magic to the Lakers on Aug. 10 in a complex four-team trade.