Dwight Howard entered the NBA with the weight of expectations and a body built for dominance. Over 18 seasons, he played for eight different teams, snagged eight All-Star appearances, and even earned the Defensive Player of the Year award three times. The big man wasn’t just valuable on the court, he earned around $245 million through his contracts alone. His performance led to Magic retiring his jersey as well as a place in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. But out of all these accomplishments, it’s what he earned outside the court that deserves the most respect. But beyond every achievement lies a goal, a goal that makes you selfish. Howard, too a victim of the same.

Off the court, Dwight Howard’s success didn’t stop with basketball. He poured his energy into helping others, from supporting youth programs to funding schools overseas. His name stayed active in community work, even when he wasn’t grabbing rebounds. He didn’t broadcast it much, but the impact was real. During Above the Rim, Lou Young leaned in with a tough question: “Was it like—is it a pride thing, an ego thing to be like, ‘I’mma take care of this,’ or like you feel like you’re obligated to take care of everybody?”

Howard admitted it all came down to survivor’s remorse. He explained that when you make it out, you want others to succeed too. “I think it’s survivor’s remorse. I think it’s… we want to help everybody because we want them to get to where we at,” he said. But over time, that mindset can wear you down. He shared how the phrase from every airplane safety demo: put your own mask on first, started to feel personal. “If your cup ain’t full and you’re trying to fill everybody else’s cup, ’cause you want to fill people’s cup, you want to show love to everybody, but if your cup ain’t full first, how can you give the proper love to everybody else?” he questioned. And guess what? Stephen Jackson also chimed in.

For him, helping people came from a good place, but sometimes led to setbacks. “I just had to learn that God would take your blessing if you’re blessing people with your blessing that he didn’t intend to bless,” Jackson said. He regretted investing in friends with troubled pasts instead of supporting the ones who had always stood by him. “I’ve seen a lot of things were taken from me because I’m trying to bless people that he (god) didn’t intend to bless. I should have been blessing more of my family,” he added with reflection. He regrets that he should have focused more on helping those close to him.

Dwight Howard’s heart of gold: From hospital visits to charity events

Did you know Dwight Howard’s impact stretches far beyond the basketball court? While most people remember his incredible skills on the court, it’s his generosity off the court that really makes him stand out. Interestingly, in 2016, Dwight teamed up with Memorial Hermann Health System for a heartwarming project. He surprised kids at Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital by giving them a 360-degree tour of the Houston Rockets’ locker room through Google Cardboard. But here’s the twist—when the kids took off their headsets, Dwight was standing right there in front of them. Talk about an unforgettable surprise!

But Dwight’s giving doesn’t stop with hospital visits. On his 37th birthday, he raised over NT$3 million (US$97,969) through an event that auctioned off personal items like jerseys and shoes. The money went to charities supporting low-income families and rural students.

What’s even more amazing is Dwight’s work with his Grand Champions Foundation. He’s not just donating money, but also providing kids from tough neighborhoods with the tools and mentorship to succeed. Through initiatives like the Waterboys Entrepreneurship Program, he’s giving young people a chance to learn business skills and a path to a brighter future. He stated, “These kids, it’s very hard for them to really find their way out of the community that they live in. They’re forced to grow up at a very early age.” Howard empathized with their plight and swore to provide help necessary business skills through selling water.

It’s clear Dwight Howard wants his legacy to be about more than his accolades in the NBA. He aims to inspire, motivate, and show others that greatness can come from giving.