The weekend-long Sue Bird jersey retirement celebration came to an end with a decibel-breaking roar , and an eye-watering moment when Storm Jersey No. 10 was raised to the Climate Pledge Arena. The roar was from the crowd and misty eyes were from those who watched Sue grow up in front of their eyes.
WEEKEND OF ACTIVITIES
A Friday morning raising of the Sue Bird flag on top of the Space Needle kicked off the celebratory festivities. Keeping in true northwest fashion the weather was gusty, windy and your guessed it rainy. After the flag raising there were various community events which included a basketball clinic at a local gymnasium for young female basketball players and the unveiling of a Sue Bird mural in downtown Seattle.
CELEBRATION
The jersey retirement was scheduled to begin after the Storms’ game with the Washington Mystics. By the way, the Mystics won if anyone is keeping score. So much for the schedule. When Bird walked into Climate Pledge Arena before the game, the party started.
Through the game former Bird teammates, Seattle Supersonic players, and celebrities paid homage to Bird when they were shown on the Arena’s jumbotron. Also shown on the big screen was a thank you video message by Bird to the City.
SHEDDING THE SPOTLIGHT
A short time after the buzzer sounded the official ceremony began. The three-hour ceremony began with Bird, fiancé Megan Rapinoe, family, friends, and key figures from the past and present of Seattle Storm basketball assembled on the court. The list of speakers and what was said is long but among the notable speakers were Storm co-owner Lisa Brummel, former teammates, Laure Jackson, Swin Cash former head coach Jenny Boucek, Rapinoe and Bird.
IMMORTALITY
And when all the speeches were down the number 10 was raised.
It is no mistake that when it came time for Bird’s speech it was over ninety minutes long. During her Hall of Fame career Bird always gave credit to teammates and coaches. After her speech with the public Bird spoke with the media. In true Bird-like fashion, she was continuous of the length of the speech despite the fact that it was her day. All everyone wanted to hear was her speak.
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