MIAMI – Sunday marked a very special day for the Miami Heat as they honored a legend. Dwyane Wade received the highest honor the Heat can give – a statue at the Kaseya Center in his iconic “my house” pose.
“I think the statue is pretty cool because it’s representing him saying, ‘This is my house,’” Heat fan Vanessa Frank said.
“I mean, I think the statue’s great, (but) I wish they would have flames and permanent fires around but, you know, to each their own,” another fan named Kevin said. “The statue is phenomenal though.”
“I think it’s a perfect representation of Wade County. This is definitely his city,” Heat fan Ari Val said.
WATCH: Local 10′s Will Manso speaks to the artists behind the statue
The highest Heat honor was witnessed by fans who dusted off that No. 3 jersey and other D Wade gear, just in time for the big reveal.
Miami’s own Rick Ross also made a special appearance Sunday, performing a free concert for the fans who Wade addressed in a speech before the unveiling.
“I won three NBA championships, I have 13 All-Star appearances, played with some of the greatest players ever, have a statue one day, be in the Hall of Fame, have a jersey retirement. You think somebody was going to tell me that was gonna happen?” Wade said.
Also in attendance was Wade’s wife, actress Gabrielle Union, along with his kids and his parents.
Wade’s dad appeared to get emotional after seeing his son’s statue for the very first time.
It was an iconic moment for a true Heat legend.
“Amazing, almost made me cry!” a Heat fan named Kendrick said.
Val added that this honor was long overdue.
“I say long overdue, but that’s just my personal option,” Val said. “The day he retired, we should’ve had a statue.”