Dwyane Wade on Protests: ‘Actions Speak Louder Than Words’

Dwyane Wade has been vocal about athletes using their status and platform to take a stand against social injustices and the shooting death of his cousin, Nyeka Aldridge, has only strengthened Wade’s resolve to support the end to gun violence.

Over the weekend, Wade was in Miami for the D-Wade CommUNITY Bike Ride, an event that brought a total of 1,000 local residents and police officers together for a 6-mile bike ride in Coconut Grove.

After the ride, Wade spoke with ESPN about turning words into action:

“Actions speak louder than the words you say,” Wade said Saturday. “We have to continue to do things in our communities to try to raise the bar. The great thing about being an athlete today is you can make a stand for what you believe in, and it’s OK.”

 

If you have something you believe in, take a stand and get behind it,” Wade said. “We have this platform. … We’re portrayed as bigger than life because we’re on the big stage. But we’re everyday people as well. And it’s OK to have a voice and express that. We through a call out [in July] to all athletes to use their voice and their platform to do more … to help the community, whatever race you are, and to stand up for what you believe in. And it’s great to see athletes standing up to do that.”