Wayne Ellington, who signed for the Miami Heat this summer, spoke to South Florida high school students early this week about the effects of gun violence.
Although various high profile sportspeople take on the responsibility of using their platform to discuss and promote important issues, not many will speak from the heart in the way that Ellington surely is.
Ellington’s father, Wayne Sr., was fatally wounded in a stationary car in Philadelphia back in 2014. When speaking to the Miami Herald’s Manny Navarro, Ellington reflected on how the tragedy sparked his effort to have a positive influence.
“As time went on and I grieved with my family and talked about it, I realized I was in a position where I could really change things around and maybe make one person … touch them and turn them in a more positive direction,” Ellington said.
At Monday’s event, Ellington joined Miami great Alonzo Mourning to encourage students to communicate with one another to avoid conflict.
Today @WayneElli22 stood with @sandyhook and @MDCPS to end gun violence #MiamiStartsWithHello pic.twitter.com/yxFamhYI3U
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) September 20, 2016
“We started the campaign the Power of W.E., which is obviously my initials and my father's initials, for the power of we as people,” Ellington stated. “I just want to see a change in mind-set of our youth, the younger generation. I want to see them do more positive things for each other and in the community.”
Over the last three years, Ellington has found himself with four separate franchises but is hoping that he has found a home in Miami. The guard will attempt to earn a regular spot at the shooting guard position, following the departure of Heat legend Dwyane Wade.
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