Dwyane Wade reflects on Muhammad Ali as 'courageous humanitarian'

The kinship came from a shared birthday, both born on Jan. 17, Dwyane Wade 40 years after Muhammad Ali. But with Friday's passing of the iconic boxer at age 74, the Miami Heat guard on Saturday said measuring up to Ali became a life challenge.

"Muhammad Ali and I share the same birthday, and that alone made me feel I had purpose,"' Wade posted on Instagram. "Yes, he was a great boxer, the greatest of all, but as a courageous humanitarian. That is where his brilliance spoke loudest to me.

"He made me believe I could become HIM. I could be my own man, use my own voice, stand up for my beliefs AND be respected for what I do on my battle field which is the court. He was strong, proud and vocal . . . a black man who lead by words and action. Misunderstood and unappreciated for most of his life. Thanks for standing for all but especially your own. It was always my honor to be in his presence and I am a better man for it."

Thoughts were similar across social media from those associated with the Heat.

"I'm so thankful for the words you shared throughout your life and the example you set," power forward Udonis Haslem posted on Instagram, "for not only African Americans but human beings around the world."

Posted center Hassan Whiteside on Instagram, "RIP to the Greatest. Thanks for all you done for the WORLD. Way more than a boxer."

From others on the team, inspirational quotes from Ali were posted on social media.

"He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life," posted guard Goran Dragic.

"I know where I'm going and I know the truth, and I don't have to be what you want me to be. I'm free to be what I want to be," posted Luol Deng.

Both of those Ali quotes were accompanied by photos of Ali.

On his Twitter feed, Heat owner Micky Arison posted, "He was the greatest Muhammad Ali R.I.P."

The Heat tribute to Ali will endure. Atop a wall in the team's training room at AmericanAirlines Arena is the Ali quote, "The fight is won or lost far away from witnesses -- behind the lines, in the gym, and out there on the road, long before I dance under those lights."