Dwyane Wade, like so many, was completely shocked when he learned of Tiger Woods‘ horrific car accident that occurred in Los Angeles on February 23. The NBA great, 39, appeared on the Tuesday night episode of Inside the NBA mere hours after the crash occurred, and opened up about his outing with the decorated pro-golfer, 45, on February 22, just one day before the crash. “I had an unbelievable opportunity yesterday,” he said, reflecting on their outing.
“I picked up the golf club, like many in the Black community, because of Tiger Woods,” he said of the golfing legend, who broke barriers and more in his field. “He taught me a few things — hopefully, it translates,” he continued, relishing the fact that he got to “be out there with the G.O.A.T.” But Dwyane got mildly emotional, as well. Especially when it came to talking about the way Tiger spoke about his two children — daughter Sam Alexis Woods, 13, and son Charlie Axel Woods, 12.
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“To be able to talk to him about Sam and Charlie, and his father…it was a great day,” Dwyane said. When it comes to his children, Tiger has been incredibly active in their lives. The golfer shares Sam and Charlie with ex-wife Elin Nordegren, 41. The couple divorced in 2010, but Tiger has since become encouraging of his youngsters pursuits. Just two months ago, Tiger and Charlie created a memory that will last a lifetime when they played golf together at the PNC Championship in December 2020.
Prior to attending the tournament with his son, Tiger gushed about the opportunity. “I can’t tell you how excited I am to be playing with Charlie in our first official tournament together,” Tiger said in November. “It’s been great watching him progress as a junior golfer, and it will be incredible playing as a team together in the PNC Championship.”
Sadly, more of those father-son moments may have to wait until the distant future. Roughly 24 hours after his outing with Dwyane, Tiger was involved in a “single-vehicle roll-over traffic collision,” which took place “on the border of Rolling Hills Estate and Rancho Palos Verdes,” according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Tiger was extracted from his 2021 Genesis SUV with the use of an axe, and immediately taken to the hospital.
Dwyane, following the example of Barack Obama, Lindsey Vonn, Serena Williams, and more sent his hopes and prayers to Tiger and his family for a smooth, steady recovery. “We’re all shaken,” Dwyane confessed. “My prayers go out to him, and hopefully a speedy recovery for him, and hopefully he gets a chance to get back to doing what he loves to do, and that’s playing the game of golf.”