Seattle storm sue bird jersey retirement

But then he shrugged.

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.

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. Former professional basketball player Sue Bird poses for members of the media after she raised a replica of her jersey retirement banner on top of the Space Needle in Seattle, Wash. 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. The ceremony was scheduled for approximately 45 minutes and lasted nearly four times longer. It was at times emotional and had those involved fighting back tears with speeches that stretched far beyond the allotted time. It was also partly a roast, especially when Bird got the microphone and had a chance to touch on the different aspects of her life, career and influences. Election Fact Check. Press Releases. Search Query Submit Search.

Topics include the thrill of victory, the agony of defeat, and, especially, the people responsible for either outcome, as well as the wide chasm between. It really goes beyond the basketball court. You saw it right away.

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.

Ceremonially, the Storm will say goodbye and honor Bird when they retire her No. Can somebody make sure that happens? Since being drafted No. The 5-foot-9 ponytailed playmaker from Syosset, New York, became a Seattle icon and a fixture in the Storm lineup while playing and starting games — the most in WNBA history — and compiling a regular-season record and mark in the playoffs for more than two decades. She announced retirement plans last June and spent the second half of the season being serenaded with praise and tributes during a farewell tour that drew thousands of fans who flocked in droves to witness her final stops around the league. Initially, the steely cool Bird was reluctant about being feted with pregame tributes and celebrations, but she was overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and affection bestowed upon her. All the love, obviously here in Seattle but even on the road just seeing the turnout and seeing people wearing my jersey or people wearing my shoe or people making signs. Bird played her final game Sept.

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.

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Soccer star Rapinoe honored her girlfriend Bird in an emotional ceremony. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? Bird even became perhaps the first honoree ever to pay tribute to a body part. Sponsored Content. Texas woman mistaken as intruder and shot by police speaks for the 1st time. Do I want to be home? We did it! Bird, now 42, added that she is still pondering what direction to take her post-basketball life after 21 years in the WNBA. Bird had words of high praise for each of the four coaches with whom she won a championship, and also Boucek, who presided over the Storm rebuild post-Jackson and pre-Breanna Stewart that paved the way for two more titles. Do I want to travel? 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. For more information, visit our FAQ's.

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?

But the last time as a player. We did it! Coming nine months after her final WNBA game, Bird compared this weekend's events -- which also included raising a flag with her name on the Space Needle on Friday and the unveiling of a mural of her likeness in downtown Seattle -- to "a period" on her career representing the end of the sentence and moving on to the next stage of her life. It almost has nothing to do with basketball in so many ways. For more information, visit our FAQ's. That's just a part of it. Feb 15, PM. By Larry Stone. The largest crowd in franchise history packed Climate Pledge in August for Bird's final regular-season home game, while Sunday's attendance of 13,plus filled the lower bowl and reached into the upper deck. By Tim Booth. Sue Bird commands floor once more as her No. Those are potent words coming from Rapinoe, often regarded as one of the greatest female soccer players in the history of the sport. In a year career spent entirely with Seattle , Bird won four WNBA championships and became the league's all-time assists leader. O ne of the top power couples in sports made another high-profile appearance on Sunday.