Dwyane Wade's Mother Explains How His Letters Got Her ‘Through Each Day’ of Prison

Dwyane Wade’s mother, Jolinda, has revealed how important her son’s letters were to her while she was in prison.

During a special segment on Today with Jenna & Friends, which Wade is co-hosting this week, host Jenna Bush Hager surprised him with a pre-recorded message from his mother.

"You are and have always been a blessing," said Jolinda. "A blessing to me and so many others whose lives you have touched."

Jolinda also explained how much the NBA star helped her when they began to write to each other in prison. "I remember how we became pen pals when I was incarcerated," she reflected. "Your letters got me through each day and enabled me to be a part of all the wonderful things that was happening in your life."

Wade’s mother also praised him for being a great father and embracing his daughter, Zaya, after she came out as transgender.

"When you sent me pictures of my grandson Zaire, I was able to tell from your letters how very proud you were," Jolinda said. "You made up your mind that you were going to be the best dad you could be and that is exactly what you’ve become. Son, you are simply one of the best dads a child could have. Just like everything else in your life, you give fatherhood your all."

"My love, I admire how you embrace your beautiful child Zaya — my granddaughter," Jolinda continued. "And you encourage her to be who she is. What a dad. You protect her, you speak with her to understand who she is. You don’t judge or condemn."

Jolinda eventually joined Wade in person and opened up about what led to her incarceration. "I grappled many years with drug addiction. Heroin, alcohol, pills, well, you know, we can go on down you name it," she said.

"Alcoholism, homelessness, in and out of prison. Just living a life that was totally separated from my babies,” Jolinda continued. "One thing I always wanted to be was a mother and once I stopped being that person, I lost me. And I didn’t know how to grab me back at the time."

Wade went on to speak highly of his mother and reflected on their "journey" together. "Growing up being a mama’s boy, being the youngest, being the only boy, I had my way. It was good," he said. "But you know, watching my mom going through something I couldn’t understand at the young age I was at, I didn’t even know what judgement really was. I just knew what love was."