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Andre Drummond is not just the center of the Detroit Pistons anymore. He now has an additional role that is as important.
The 7-foot big man was named as an ambassador for the Special Olympics, and Drummond discussed how he felt after finding out about his new designation and shared his experiences with the interactions he's had with some of its athletes, per Jon Krawczynski of the Associated Press.
“It's a feeling you don't forget. It's a genuine look and genuine excitement. They don't see me as just a basketball player, they see me for who I am and the amount of time and effort I put into being a supporter of the movement.”
“Just seeing how much they love the game and the excitement they had just drew me to them. Year after year I continued to do it and I tried to be more involved and now it's kind of like that next level being an international ambassador.”
“Anybody can shoot and throw the ball around. But when you get the time to really speak to them and hear their stories and see the kinds of personalities they have, it's something you can't really describe. You have to be there for the moment.”
Special Olympics CEO Mary Davis gave a statement about what it means to their organization to have Drummond as one of their international ambassadors. She also talked about what sports have done for their athletes.
“Andre has experienced firsthand how sports can build fitness, confidence and skills among Special Olympics athletes and how playing unified and being unified can break down barriers and help build respect and inclusion in every neighboring school and community across the nation”
Drummond now joins the likes of Yao Ming, Damian Lillard, Michael Phelps, and Elena Delle Donne as other ambassadors of the world's largest sports organization for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.
