Photo: Instagram/dwyanewade
(Podcast length 4:56 mins)
Just because these dads have careers that put them in the limelight doesn’t mean they don't know which job is most important.
Transcript
1. Retired NBA (National Basketball Association) player Dwyane Wade grew up in a challenging environment which taught him to "lead with love" as he raises sons Zaire, 20, and Xavier, 8, and daughters Zaya, 15, and Kaavia, 3, and his nephew Dahveon Morris, 20. He and his wife actress, Gabrielle Union, rallied around Zaya, who came out as transgender in 2020. He refers to Zaya as the "bravest" person he knows for sharing her story, "knowing there's other kids that are going through similar things, and knowing that they do not get the love and attention and the respect from their parents." The couple is also very open about their journey with surrogacy with Kaavia after struggling to conceive. FAMILY IS EVERYTHING
2. Denver Broncos (NFL – National Football League) quarterback Russell Wilson never had a chance to celebrate his illustrious career with his dad. His dad passed away shortly after he was drafted by the Colorado Rockies (MLB – Major League Baseball), and he never had a chance to see him play in the NFL. Wilson, married to singer Ciara, is dad to 1-year-old son Win Harrison, daughter Sienna Princess, 5, and son Future Zahir, 8, whom Ciara shares with ex Future. Wilson and Ciara not only invest in their own family but in children in their community through their Why Not You Foundation, which fights poverty through education and empowering youth to lead with a "why not you" attitude. ROLE MODEL
3. Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the best soccer players of our generation, but the title that makes him most proud is "dad." Losing his father at a young age at 20 years old is a topic that brings him to tears. Ronaldo is the father to Cristiano Jr., 11, whose mother has not been revealed, five-year-old twins Evan and Mateo, born via surrogate, and Alana, 4, and one-month-old Bella with longtime girlfriend, Georgina Rodríguez. Ronaldo and Rodríguez lost Bella's infant's twin brother during childbirth. While he's used to being the rock, after the death of his son, soccer fans stepped up to support him, signing the song "You'll Never Walk Alone" during Ronaldo's first game back. RAISE 'EM UP
4. Most dads would do anything to help their kids achieve their dreams. Enter Freddie Freeman of the Los Angeles Dodgers (MLB). The beginning of last season wasn't going so well for Freeman. His son Charlie said, "Daddy, I'm gonna need you to start playing better so I can go to the All-Star Game and meet Fernando (Tatis Jr. of the San Diego Padres)." Freddie said, 'That's the only reason you want me to play better?" Charlie said yes, and the rest is history. Charlie had a chance to make his dreams come true by meeting Tatis and his other heroes at the 2021 MLB All-Star Game. Freddie then made his own dreams come true by winning the World Series with the Atlanta Braves. DREAM BIG
5. While you might disagree with his antics, LaVar Ball has taken a page from Kris Kardashian's book regarding his sons' successes. His undying belief in his offspring's abilities is second to none. Lonzo Ball was the second pick in the NBA Draft in 2017, Lamelo was the No. 3 pick in 2020 and LiAngelo is in the G League (the NBA's development league). Nobody markets like LaVar, but he's also not perfect, so we won't judge him on his Big Baller athletic apparel company and its' $800 shoes. ULTIMATE CHEERLEADER
Sports Curious, presented by Last Night's Game, is here to take the awkward out of the conversation and help you join the sports conversation, even if you don't know the first thing about sports. We break down what's happening in sports in an easy-to-understand, fun way without all of the statistics and jargon, so you never have to exit stage left when the chatter at the office, dinner table or networking event switches to sports.
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