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Sights and Sounds from Sue Bird's Storm jersey retirement in Seattle

Joseph Corr

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Sights and Sounds from Sue Bird's Storm jersey retirement in Seattle image

Sue Bird will forever be a part of Seattle Storm and WNBA history after her jersey was hoisted into the rafters of Climate Pledge Arena on Sunday night.

The Storm fell to the Mystics 71-65 prior to the ceremony, but nothing could put a dampener on the night's celebrations.

In a near three-hour-long event, Bird's No. 10 became just the second jersey to be retired by the Storm. Bird joins former teammate Lauren Jackson in the history books, the Australian superstar had her No. 15 retired in 2016.

Bird won four WNBA championships in her career, along with setting a number of incredible accolades:

  • 4x WNBA Champion
  • 13x WNBA All-Star 
  • 5x All-WNBA First Team 
  • 1st all-time in assists 
  • 7th all-time in points 
  • 2nd all-time in 3PM 
  • 3rd all-time in steals

In a career spanning 19 WNBA seasons, all in Seattle with the Storm, Bird averaged 11.7 points, 5.6 assists, and 1.3 steals per game, while shooting 42.9 percent from the field across 580 games. 

"Seattle wasn’t always home, but that’s what it became … you guys gave me a HOME" said the WNBA great to kick off the celebration of her amazing career.

As Bird joined Storm folklore, check out the best sights and sounds from her big night at Climate Pledge Arena.

Sights and Sounds from Sue Bird's jersey retirement

The festivities started pregame, when Bird received a standing ovation from the near-sellout crowd as she made her way to her court side seat.

Bird then delivered a video message to the city over the jumbotron. It read, in part:

"Dear Seattle, 

From the moment I heard my name on draft night, I knew this city would always hold a special place in my heart. Twenty-one years later, this place has become home. You embraced an eager rookie from Syosset, New York from Day One, and the rest was history. Together, we built a legacy that will always be remembered, adding to the rich basketball history this city holds. 

The No. 10 that will hang forever in these rafters symbolizes more than just my individual accomplishments. It represents every person who has supported me, the teammates and staff who competed alongside me and the indomitable spirit of a city I proudly wore on my chest my entire career."

Former teammate Lauren Jackson made the case for Bird being the WNBA GOAT and spelled it out for everyone... with a little help from ChatGPT.

"I asked ChatGPT what the most important position in basketball was ... It turns out that the point guard position is actually the most important position according to AI ... That would make you the most influential and impactful player of all-time. That also makes you the true GOAT of our game."  

Bird gave a rousing speech that covered many facets of her life and career, at one point touching on her favorite memory with the Storm. 

In 2018 Bird led the Storm past the Washington Mystics in a 3-0 Finals sweep. It was the franchise's first title in eight years and the winning experience really struck a chord with Bird:

"I know I'm going to say this, I might regret it, I think it's my favorite championship ... I'm sorry I just never thought we were going to get back!"   

The magical moment! Bird's jersey takes flight up into the rafters where it will hang forever - #10 Forever!

A slew of stars came out to support Bird, including her fiancé, soccer star Megan Rapinoe, WNBA legend Sheryl Swoopes, and SuperSonics icon Detlef Schrempf. 

Along with Grammy-winning musician and Seattle-native Macklemore, who posted this touching tribute on Instagram.

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Joseph Corr

Joseph Corr Photo

Joseph Corr is a content producer at The Sporting News who has covered the NBA for nearly a decade. A supporter of the Chicago Bulls during the Michael Jordan-era, he is also a fan of his local Australian basketball league; The NBL. Joseph was previously a long-time member of ESPN and Stats Perform’s digital media team, as a reporter, video editor and production assistant. Based in Sydney, Australia Joseph has worked for TSN since 2022.