Sue Bird’s No. 10 jersey will endlessly dangle within the rafters of Climate Pledge Arena because the Seattle Storm honored the legendary level guard with a three-hour ceremony on Sunday.
Bird, who retired after the 2022 WNBA season, performed 19 years for the Storm and led them to 4 championships. She additionally gained 5 Olympic gold medals with Team USA and have become the WNBA’s all-time chief in assists.
Among the audio system on the ceremony had been Bird’s fiancée Megan Rapinoe, who’s a soccer star and an activist. Rapinoe praised Bird for her achievements on and off the courtroom and for being a task mannequin for many individuals.
“Congratulations on like, arguably the best career that anyone has ever had in the history of any sport ever,” Rapinoe mentioned.
“Congratulations on like, arguably the very best profession that anybody has ever had within the historical past of any sport ever.”-Megan Rapinoe to Sue Bird 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/WHC73TLBra— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 11, 2023
The Storm honored Bird’s legacy by retiring her No. 10 jersey, making her the second participant in franchise historical past to obtain this distinction after Lauren Jackson. The festivities started on Friday with a flag bearing Bird’s quantity flying excessive above the Space Needle and ended on Sunday with an emotional speech from Bird to the followers at Climate Pledge Arena.
“I will forever miss it, and that’s OK,” Bird mentioned. “I think some people try to avoid missing it when they’re in my seat up here, and the reality is I’m always going to miss it.”
Megan Rapinoe calling Sue Bird the GOAT athlete sparks Twitter debate
Rapinoe’s remark sparked a frenzy on Twitter, the place many followers agreed along with her evaluation of Bird’s greatness, whereas others argued that it was unfair to match completely different sports activities and eras.
Here are among the reactions from Twitter:
Flagged for misinformation— Rockets Enjoyer (@rockets_enjoyer) June 11, 2023
They do it to themselves. Literally no person will agree with that.— Lucas (@catchflames) June 12, 2023
Tom Brady, lebron, Messi, Jordan I can preserve going for days— Pastelito De Guayaba 🍇𓅓⁷ (@_angelo27_) June 12, 2023
Bird, who the Storm drafted because the No. 1 choose in 2002, spent her complete profession with the franchise, including to the wealthy basketball historical past of Seattle. She additionally represented the USA in 5 Olympics, turning into considered one of solely 5 gamers to win 5 Olympic golds in basketball.
Regardless of the place one stands on the controversy of who’s the very best athlete ever, there is no such thing as a denying that Sue Bird is likely one of the most influential and profitable gamers in WNBA historical past.
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