Tristan Thompson offered Kevin Love a shoulder to cry on after the death of the Miami Heat player‘s father, Stan Love.
Footage circulating via social media on Monday, April 28, showed a pregame moment where Thompson, 34, hugged Kevin, 36, who was visibly emotional. Kevin previously missed the Heat’s playoff game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday, April 26, due to his dad’s death. (The Heat played the Cavaliers again in an elimination game on Monday.)
“Dad, you fought for a long time. The hardest stretch being these past 6 months. The most painful to witness being these last few weeks. And even at the end as you continued to deteriorate — I still saw you as a Giant. My Protector. My first Hero,” Kevin wrote via Instagram. “The words we continuously heard from you in your last chapter were how blessed you’ve been to have such a loving family. And in return how much you’ve loved your wife and kids. Your only wish was to be at home surrounded by your family when you took your dying breath. That breath came. And now it’s time to rest.”
Kevin called his father his “greatest teacher” before thanking him for being an example of “admirable qualities like respect and kindness,” in addition to “ambition and work ethic.”
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“I mourn the times I felt angry and isolated — my heart weighs heavy knowing we lost that time and can’t get it back,” he continued. “But our division led to me finding myself. I was running from something but that time away provided the wisdoms of forgiveness and reconciliation. And an unwavering sense that he loved me through it all, in every moment.”
Kevin noted that the “greatest gift” his father gave him was “teaching me that healing happens in your soul and that healing is there for the taking, even in the face of imminent death.”
“Like all of us, my Dad was imperfect. But despite his flaws, and my own, we are a successful story of father and son,” the tribute concluded. “A never ending bond, rooted in love, that will forever remain eternal. Dad, I’m so proud to be your son. My only hope is that you’re proud of me. It was all I ever wanted. Thank you for everything.”
Thompson has also publicly mourned a parent. His mother, Andrea, died from a heart attack in January 2023.
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“Dearest mommy in heaven, It has been one month since you’ve been gone. I’m in disbelief. I’m in the deepest part of sorrow & grief,” Thompson wrote via Instagram in February 2023. “My soul is empty as I come to terms that my biggest supporter/superhero is gone. I cannot thank you enough for always being a woman of faith, being one of God’s warriors, fighting back with whatever the world threw our way. You constantly protected us through prayer. My hero you fought all the battles you needed to and it was time for you to go home.”
Thompson issued an apology for the mistakes he made in his life — and how they played out in the public eye.
“All I can say is, I’m sorry mommy for the wrong decisions I’ve made in my life. I’m sorry for the embarrassment & pain. You raised me better than what I was able to show you,” he continued. “But I have also learned sorry is not enough. Actions speak louder than worlds [sic]. So I won’t just say sorry. Stay tuned to the ways I will show the world what an amazing son you raised. I will show you that even when we fall & make mistakes, we get back up. You are my motivation. Stand beside me as I become the man I know you always believed in. I’m going to make you proud, I promise!”
