Seattle storm sue bird jersey retirement

Soccer star Rapinoe honored her girlfriend Bird in an emotional ceremony. O ne of the top power couples in sports made another high-profile appearance on Sunday. Megan Rapinoe seattle storm sue bird jersey retirement Sue Bird returned to Climate Pledge Arena for the latter's jersey retirement, a lengthy but emotional ceremony that saw the star of the OL Reign and the United States women's team tear up while introducing her girlfriend -- a Seattle Storm legend. Rapinoe served as co-master of ceremonies alongside rapper Macklemorea Seattle native and Storm fan.

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.

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. The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in , AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. The Associated Press. More From AP News. Copyright The Associated Press.

When I watch you guys play, I see a piece of myself out there. The Associated Press.

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. I'm already thinking of things I wish I would have said.

Bird's jersey number was retired in a ceremony after the game. Bird's jersey number was retired in a postgame ceremony. Bird went on to pay tribute to everyone who played a part in her journey, recounting her entire career from her youth days in Syosset, New York, up until the very end. They can listen to you for an hour. That feeling was palpable as Bird took a deep breath and soaked it all in before letting out a grin from ear to ear as her No. The emotional, nearly three-hour ceremony was hosted by U. Head coach Geno Auriemma was unable to make it, but associate head coach Chris Dailey was there. There were also events to celebrate Bird throughout the weekend. On Friday morning, Bird raised a flag replica of her jersey on the iconic Space Needle.

Seattle storm sue bird jersey retirement

Drafted No. Bird led the Storm to four titles and was chosen an All-Star a record 13 times. During Bird's final season, she was honored at Seattle's last home game of the regular season, which featured the largest crowd in franchise history. Bird helped the Storm past Washington in the first round of the playoffs before her career came to an end in the semifinals against the eventual champion Las Vegas Aces. Bird's No. Bird and Jackson teamed up for the franchise's first two championships, in and , and Jackson's jersey was retired in Skip to main content Skip to navigation. Storm to retire Bird's No.

Luca dragon maid

They can listen to you for an hour. 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. US imposes 'crushing' sanctions on Russia 2 years after Ukraine invasion. Wendy Williams. Copyright The Associated Press. Now larger-than-life replicas of both their jerseys are hanging in the Climate Pledge Arena rafters. 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. Megan Rapinoe and Sue Bird returned to Climate Pledge Arena for the latter's jersey retirement, a lengthy but emotional ceremony that saw the star of the OL Reign and the United States women's team tear up while introducing her girlfriend -- a Seattle Storm legend. I think a lot was made of what I've given them in my final year, but I really wanted to emphasize what all the people I named have given me and what I'll take. Then Bird went through her entire career to pay tribute to everyone who played a part in her journey, from being scared to pick up the ball before her first youth soccer game as a child to walking off the court last September with fans chanting, "Thank you, Sue! Sponsored Content. It was just so important for me to say names and point people out and tell them what they've meant.

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.

Given her four WNBA championships and five Olympic gold medals, plus a record 13 All-Star appearances, there's little debate that Bird retired as the greatest point guard in women's basketball history. Rapinoe set the tone for the ceremony by congratulating Bird on completing "arguably the best career that anyone has had" in sports history. From the poem "Ulysses" by Alfred, Lord Tennyson, Bird quoted the line "I am a part of all that I have met" to describe her relationship with those groups. Then Bird went through her entire career to pay tribute to everyone who played a part in her journey, from being scared to pick up the ball before her first youth soccer game as a child to walking off the court last September with fans chanting, "Thank you, Sue! It almost has nothing to do with basketball in so many ways. We did it! The speech culminated with a tribute to Storm fans, a group that has swelled tremendously over the past decades, thanks in large part to Bird's play and connection with the community. By Larry Stone. I'm already thinking of things I wish I would have said. This is how everyone feels about you. It was at times emotional and had those involved fighting back tears with speeches that stretched far beyond the allotted time. That's just a part of it. Fact Check. Actually, Bird's speech was more than an hour and a half, as she apologized for during the midst of it.