Heat fans mourn loss of Dwyane Wade to Chicago Bulls

MIAMI – Miami Heat fans were distraught Thursday morning after learning that Heat veteran Dwyane Wade was leaving the team after 13 years.

"When you think of the Heat, you see Wade, so now not to have him in the front of our stadium anymore -- it's just going to kill us," Alexis Smith said.

"Dwyane Wade was 305," season ticket holder Paul Suskey said. "Dade, Wade County."

Wade signed with the Chicago Bulls this week for a $47 million, 2-year contract.

"I am in grief, to be honest," Smith said.

Smith is a diehard Heat fan who works for the Heat's online store. She said she once got the chance to shake the hand of the mayor of Wade County outside the arena.

"At a food truck, outside, in front of the ticket booth -- amazing guy," Smith said.

Some fans were reeling from the decision.

"I can't talk about it. It's too painful for me to talk about," Suskey said.

Suskey said he's a little bit in denial about Wade's move and is trying not to "read, listen to radio or watch TV" so he doesn't have to face Wade's decision.

Other fans are just trying to keep their anger at bay.

As soon as one fan pleaded in a tweet for a jersey-burning ban, another Heat fan posted a video of the No. 3 jersey catching literal heat.

"The man already gave up $10 (million), $11 million to bring on LeBron and Bosh at the time, but he's got to do what's right for him and his family," Keith Denson said.

"Wade was the Heat," season ticket holder Zain Deane said. "Wade was the heart and soul of the team, and to just let him go like that. It was a $7 million difference."

But as with every grieving process, acceptance eventually comes.

"We still got Riley," Suskey said. "We got a good team. Good culture. Got to keep it up."

Wade took to Twitter Thursday to show Heat Nation his appreciation, saying: "I wanna say THANK YOU to #HeatNation ... I've read and felt your guys love from afar. Thank you for appreciating my 13 years. #FamilyAlways."