Seattle storm sue bird jersey retirement

Former Seattle Storm player Sue Bird, in green, watches with her family as her jersey number is retired and lifted into the rafters during a ceremony following a WNBA basketball game between the Seattle Storm and the Washington Mystics, Sunday, June 11,in Seattle.

I was like, 'Was that too long? They can listen to you for an hour. Actually, Bird's speech was more than an hour and a half, as she apologized for during the midst of it. But there was understandably a lot of ground to cover for a player who retired last fall as the WNBA's all-time leader in games, minutes and assists during a career that spanned more than two decades -- all of it played in Seattle. It was just so important for me to say names and point people out and tell them what they've meant.

Seattle storm sue bird jersey retirement

But then he shrugged. Above all else, the two-hour, minute ceremony at Climate Pledge Arena — about 50 minutes longer than the game that preceded it, a Storm loss to the Washington Mystics — was a monument of love. The love that virtually everyone brought up to speak has for Bird and felt compelled to detail, and, as Bird expressed in her own expansive, emotional and at times hilarious one-hour, minute speech, the love she has for them. At her news conference after the speech, Bird reiterated what her sister, Jennifer, told her when Sue asked afterward if she had gone on too long:. It really goes beyond the basketball court. It almost has nothing to do with basketball in so many ways. I feel like a lot was made last year of what I have given them. When Bird finally took the microphone, she started by thanking her first basketball coach, Mr. Bird even became perhaps the first honoree ever to pay tribute to a body part. We did it! It was rough, but we did it. Naturally, there was deeper emotional resonance when Bird spoke about her partner, Megan Rapinoe, who co-hosted with Macklemore.

Before Bird took center stage, she heard from a variety of key figures in her career about the impact she had on them. That's just a part of it.

At one point Sunday, after yet another overflowing tribute to Sue Bird, co-host Macklemore joked about the growing length of her jersey retirement ceremony. But then he shrugged. Above all else, the 2-hour-andminute ceremony at Climate Pledge Arena — about 50 minutes longer than the game that preceded it, a Storm loss to the Washington Mystics — was a monument of love. The love that virtually everyone brought up to speak has for Bird and felt compelled to detail, and, as Bird expressed in her own expansive, emotional and at times hilarious hour-andminute speech, the love she has for them. At her news conference after the speech, Bird reiterated what her sister, Jennifer, told her when Sue asked afterward if she had gone on too long:. It really goes beyond the basketball court. It almost has nothing to do with basketball in so many ways.

Sue Bird can't help but laugh when recounting the story of being less than thrilled about starting her professional career in Seattle. I was like, 'Was that too long? They can listen to you for an hour. Actually, Bird's speech was more than an hour and a half, as she apologized for during the midst of it. But there was understandably a lot of ground to cover for a player who retired last fall as the WNBA's all-time leader in games, minutes and assists during a career that spanned more than two decades -- all of it played in Seattle.

Seattle storm sue bird jersey retirement

For more than two hours, Sue Bird was back commanding the middle of the court. At times funny, at times emotional, Bird's year career received a ceremony that matched the longevity of her basketball exploits when the Seattle Storm retired the No. The event pushed nearly three hours in total length with Bird's speech taking up more than half that amount. But it was the comprehensive closure that never materialized after Bird's career ended in the WNBA playoffs. It was just so important for me to say names and to point people out and to tell them what they've meant. From Bird's fiancee Megan Rapinoe and hip-hop star Macklemore serving as emcee's, to former teammates Swin Cash and Lauren Jackson giving heartfelt speeches, the event was Seattle's opportunity to embrace Bird once more. And for Bird to share her thanks to former coaches, teammates, family, friends and fans who watched her win four WNBA titles and five Olympic gold medals and become the standard by which all other point guards are judged. To feel seen and safe here, whether it was with the ball in my hands on the floor, or me out in the community, I could always be my ever-evolving self," Bird said toward the conclusion of her speech. It was a weekend of celebration that started with a flag honouring Bird's No. The ceremony was scheduled for approximately 45 minutes and lasted nearly four times longer.

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Do I want to be home? The Associated Press. Former Seattle Storm player Sue Bird, in green, watches with her family as her jersey number is retired and lifted into the rafters during a ceremony following a WNBA basketball game between the Seattle Storm and the Washington Mystics, Sunday, June 11, , in Seattle. It really goes beyond the basketball court. O ne of the top power couples in sports made another high-profile appearance on Sunday. I feel like a lot was made last year of what I have given them. It was in there. Naturally, there was deeper emotional resonance when Bird spoke about her partner, Megan Rapinoe, who co-hosted with Macklemore. Bird, now 42, added that she is still pondering what direction to take her post-basketball life after 21 years in the WNBA. ABC News Live. They can listen to you for an hour.

Ceremonially, the Storm will say goodbye and honor Bird when they retire her No.

Feb 22, PM. When I watch you guys play, I see a piece of myself out there. Texas woman mistaken as intruder and shot by police speaks for the 1st time. It was in there. Election As an active player, Bird stole the show with her speech at the retirement of Jackson's No. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? Now larger-than-life replicas of both their jerseys are hanging in the Climate Pledge Arena rafters. The love that virtually everyone brought up to speak has for Bird and felt compelled to detail, and, as Bird expressed in her own expansive, emotional and at times hilarious hour-andminute speech, the love she has for them. Search Query Submit Search. Biden criticized by Johnson, progressives for weighing executive action on asylum. Now the pick-and-roll partners, who played together from Bird's selection as the No. Feb 23, AM.