Ryan Reid of St. John's Edge had big shoes to fill ... and he gave them away

Forward comes up with a size 16 assist

St. John’s Edge forward Ryan Reid donated his basketball shoes to a resident of the Wiseman Centre in need of large-sized footwear. — Twitter/@stjohnsedge

It is said you can’t understand what somebody else is going through unless you’ve walked a mile in their shoes.

The St. John’s Edge’s Ryan Reid’s empathy has put a new twist on that message.
A power forward noted for rebounding and defence, in this case Reid delivered a big assist.

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The Edge recently learned a resident of the Wiseman Centre, the Salvation Army-operated shelter in St. John’s, was in need of footwear, but since he had size 16 feet, shoes were had to come by through regular retail, let alone donations.
The simple question: Was there any way the basketball team could help?
Edge director of communications Ken O’Leary says when the players were informed of the situation, Reid immediately stepped up.
As a result, a pair of Reid’s blue Kobe Bryant shoes were donated to the Wiseman resident, who had been making do with the shells of large winter boots.
Nike’s online site shows the shoes selling for $180 US, but the 31-year-old Reid said value should have nothing to do with charity, that every act, big, small or in-between, counts.
“When I hear about a guy wearing size 16s — my size — who is less fortunate … If I can help him with a pair of shoes, I’m happy about doing that.”
Reid, who is from the Fort Lauderdale, Fla., area, played four years at Florida State University before being selected by the Indiana Pacers in the second round of the 2010 NBA draft. He had a stint with the NBA’s Oklahoma City Thunder in 2011-12, but most of his professional career was spent in the G League (NBA Developmental League) and overseas in France and Japan before he signed with Edge midway through this season.
“In the off-season, I do go to visit shelters back home and when the season is over, I’ve signed shoes and given them away to kids who like the game, but this was a first for me,” said Reid. who hasn’t yet met the man in question.
“But I hope I do get to meet him. I understand he cried when he got the shoes, but I hope he ended up smiling, too. I’m happy if he’s happy. I’ll do anything I can to help.
“That’s what this world is about. We have to just be able to help one another, no matter what, you know?”

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