Mavericks’ Dirk Nowitzki Spreads Christmas Cheer At Dallas Children’s Hospital

When Dirk Nowitzki first joined the NBA in 1998, there was a mandatory annual team trip; around Christmastime, players would go to a local children’s hospital, delivering gifts and spreading joy.

Mavericks’ Dirk Nowitzki Spreads Christmas Cheer At Dallas Children’s Hospital

Roughly 12 years ago, however, the Dallas Mavericks ended the tradition, and Nowitzki was curious as to why. Therefore, he went to speak to Mavs vice president of marketing and communications Lesley Berry. The two discussed it and settled on a plan: They would continue the visits on their own. Nowitzki’s main condition was that television cameras not be allowed to ensure the children, some of whom are terminally ill, feel comfortable.

Ever since, the 38-year-old German forward has included this tradition as part of his annual Christmas celebration.

It begins when Berry reaches out to staffers from the hospital, typically Children’s Medical Center in Dallas, to determine 15-20 patients for Nowitzki to visit. Those staffers, in consultation with nurses, then give Berry a list of gift ideas. Nowitzki pays for the presents out of his own pocket. Berry and other Mavericks staffers devote a full day to the shopping and wrapping.

Brad Townsend of The Dallas Morning News chronicled Nowitzki’s annual visit to the hospital. Nowitzki visits 19 children, ranging in age from infancy to 20 years old, and introduces himself as ‘Uncle Dirk.’

“Not only do I come in and talk to them, but I also bring a gift that’s amazing,” Nowitzki said. “To see those kids, it’s pretty special.”

The NBA star’s hospital visit this year, immediately following a team appearance at a retirement home, lasted about four hours.

“This is the best day of the year for all of us,” said Keri Kaiser, Children’s Medical Center’s senior vice president of marketing and communications. “To me, this is a privilege, to watch him do this every year, seeing how much joy he brings.

“I don’t want to offend any of the other athletes in the city, but no one else does this. There is no publicity. There’s no talking about it. And he is dedicated to it.”

Berry also described the kids’ and their parents’ reactions when Nowitzki came to visit.

“Kids go absolutely crazy for him,” Berry said. “We’ve seen parents cry. We’ve seen everything. They’re just in shock, because he doesn’t just come in and say, ‘Merry Christmas! Here’s a gift.’ He goes in there and he’s spending tons of time.”

Nowitzki knows that, although the visits means seeing children who are going through very difficult times, it also means bringing joy to those who need it.

“It’s rough sometimes,” he said. “It’s frustrating at times. You’re speechless at times. But this is always my favorite appearance of the year. It means a lot to the kids and the parents and, obviously, to me.”

DALLAS, TX – APRIL 21:  Dirk Nowitzki #41 of the Dallas Mavericks dribbles the ball against Serge Ibaka #9 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during game three of the Western Conference Quarterfinals of the 2016 NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Center on April 21, 2016 in Dallas, Texas.