(CNN) - Three-time NBA champion Dwyane Wade is throwing his support and his celebrity behind the students of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.
He’s not only motivated by his position as the star player of the Miami Heat, but also his role as "dad.”
"How can we move on, as adults, as parents, when we know our kids are not safe at school? This hasn't happened one time - this has now happened multiple times," Wade said.
"I can't imagine what those families are dealing with or going through. But I try to do, I try to put myself in that situation and that heartache, that hurt. Even trying to imagine it is just too much to bear," he continued.
Also central to Wade's experience -- his own upbringing in the inner city of Chicago, IL, where gun violence is notorious but spurred a national movement.
"One of the cool things about going to the school and hearing the kids talk: They know it, kids at Parkland know it, you know? They understand and that's what really made me want to get behind and support them more because they understand that they are the voice for so many."
Wade is putting his money where his mouth is. He’s donating $200,000 to this Saturday's "March For Our Lives" rally in Washington, D.C.
It’s a call for action on gun violence spearheaded by 17-year old student Adam Alhanti.
"I think March For Our Lives is a step in a marathon. The gun laws will change once we vote out the people who don't want to change gun laws," Alhanti said.
Alhanti and Wade both welcome the action taken by Florida lawmakers to raise the age on some firearm purchases, although they oppose arming teachers.
"You're saying that we're going to give these teachers guns and if someone comes shooting, they aren't going to shoot anyone else. They're trained to just kill the person. There are people that are trained to do that now that can't do it and won't do that," Wade said.
Wade is sponsoring an art exhibit honoring the victims of the massacre, including 17-year old Joaquin Oliver who was buried in one of Wade's jerseys.
Wade paid tribute to Oliver by writing his name on his sneakers and dedicating this season to him.
"I am just honoring him I am honoring, paying respect to a family, I am paying respect to a young man that I didn't get the opportunity to meet but I feel some kind of connection to. As I wrote on that board, I will not let them forget," Wade explained.
Last month, Fox News host Laura Ingraham said basketball players like Wade should stay out of politics and just "shut up and dribble."
Wade has bigger plans than dribbling in silence.
"Because I do more than dribble. It's just not who I am. It's never been who I am," Wade said. "For me, it's bigger than basketball. It's bigger than dribbling.
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