Dwight Howard Addresses Claims He’s A Deadbeat Dad: There’s No Way I Could Be, My Son Lives W/ Me

Dwight Howard

Dwight Howard Addresses Claims He’s A Deadbeat Dad: There’s No Way I Could Be, My Son Lives W/ Me

It’s been a windy road between Dwight Howard and his relationship with his children’s mothers; specifically Royce Reed, the mother of his eldest son, Braylon Howard.  But after Royce Reed’s recent social media rant about the NBA Laker champion’s alleged negligent relationship with their 13-year-old son, Dwight Howard is breaking his silence on the matter.

Dwight Howard called into the Frank Ski radio show after host Nina Brown perpetuated false statements about him being a deadbeat dad. Though he chose to keep most of his familial issues private, he did address the phrase that has been used.

“My son lives with me, there’s no way I could be a deadbeat dad.”

Howard reportedly has 5 children, all by different women, but his 6-year-old son David Howard came to live with him full time after the tragic passing of his mother Melissa Rios on March 27, 2020.

Dwight expressed that his son has inspired him, even in bringing home the win for the 2020 NBA championship.  He said,

“I was given the opportunity to have my son with me full time, and he has really changed my life.  He’s inspired me.  He’s one of the biggest reasons why I was able to go out there, do whatever I had to do to help this team win a championship.”

Unfortunately though, his son Braylon reportedly hasn’t felt that same love recently.  In a 4-minute video, the 13-year-old poured out a heartfelt message to his dad, and at one point even claimed

“I actually hate you.”

He began:

“Hi daddy, I just wanted to say that I don’t feel like you’re a good dad at all. You never talk to me.”

He further expressed,

“You’re never around, like what I’m going through now.  When I need you the most you weren’t there and I feel like just because you’re an NBA player doesn’t mean that you can’t talk to your own kids.”

Dwight Howard and his son Braylon Howard

When asked during the Frank Ski show if he’s spoken to Braylon after his social media outpour, Dwight responded,

“Unfortunately I haven’t. Like I said, it’s a lot of things that are going on but it’s personal and I would rather keep that side of it out.”

He continued:

“No matter what’s going on I love my son. I’d never disrespect his mom.  One day we’ll be able to get past all this toxicity.”

Recognizing that we live in a day and age where a lot of Black men are being killed off, he stated:

“I don’t want anything to ever happen to my son, you know.  He’s too precious. His voice is great, he has a great mind. He’s spiritually inclined, and I don’t want this life to be taken away, you know, because of toxic behavior by anybody. But I love him to death.  He knows that.  He’ll always know that.”

How do you feel about Dwight addressing the “deadbeat dad” claim against him? Comment and let us know.