In 2006 the Miami Heat won their first NBA title. At the helm of the team was Dwyane Wade. After being crowned Finals MVP, Wade became the face of Miami.
Miami-Dade County became ‘Miami-Wade’ County and he is still heavily loved throughout the city of Miami, 14 years later.
Wade, an icon for Miami sports, had some advice and high praise for former Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, he tells ESPN’s Cameron Wolfe.
“He’s a hell of a player. Miami, especially at the QB position, really needs that. They need a leader. They need a player,” Wade said. “To come in as a young player and win a game in the second half of a national championship game — that shows some grit, that shows some balls. People have to really believe in you. Miami needs that. The Dolphins need that.”
However, with the elite talent comes stardom, which can be a blessing and a curse, as Wade mentions his first few times being in public after winning the championship. He claimed to have liked the feeling, but missed the privacy.
The advice Wade gives to Tagovailoa about how to deal with the stardom is simple.
“Figure out how to enjoy what you worked hard for, but keep a level of sanity at the same time,” says Wade.
The fame and the spotlight will be nothing new to Tagovailoa. He was a national celebrity at age 20. With his move to Miami he will only be changing the surrounding scenery and the uniform he’ll be wearing on game days.
Finally, Wade offered his thoughts on what the Dolphins will be able to do with Tagovailoa now on the team.
“If the Dolphins get it going, it’s going to be Dolphins town. We did as much to make it a basketball town as possible, and Miami Heat is there to stay. But let’s not get it twisted: Florida is football. Once they get their s— together, they are going to be big and bigger,” Wade said.
Roll Tide Wire will keep you updated on all things Tua Tagovailoa as he enters his rookie season with the Miami Dolphins.