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- Seattle Storm guard Sue Bird may very well be the greatest WNBA player of all-time.
- Bird announced her retirement Thursday on Twitter, saying that she’s calling it quits after the WNBA season.
- Now fans are wishing her well and trying to figure out how they can get to Seattle to watch her final games.
Sue Bird is a women’s basketball legend. Her list of accomplishments alone make her a candidate to be the GOAT of the WNBA.
Bird is a: 12-time WNBA All-Star, four-time WNBA champion, five-time All-WNBA first-team selection and a member of the league’s 10th, 15th, 20th and 25th anniversary team.
Put simply, Bird changed the game and the league in ways that most can only imagine. Now, she’s calling it a career.
I’ve decided this will be my final year. I have loved every single minute, and still do, so gonna play my last year, just like this little girl played her first ☺️ #TheFinalYear @seattlestorm pic.twitter.com/Uo2YqCCKUD
— Sue Bird (@S10Bird) June 16, 2022
The 41-year-old announced her retirement on Twitter Thursday, stating that this year will be her final season. If Bird holds true to the announcement, she’ll go out still at the peak of her powers after making the WNBA All-Star team just last year.
Bird also built a large, dedicated fan base in her time in the league. She played all 20 seasons with the Seattle Storm and won a jaw-dropping five Olympic gold medals with the USA Women’s National Team. Now those fans are flocking to find a way to say go by.
WNBA Fans Are Dying To Watch Sue Bird’s Final Games
The WNBA season is in full swing and Storm sit in fourth place in the standings. That positions them well for the playoffs which start in August. Fans are already planning out how they’re going to go see Bird’s final games.
Phoenix folks:
Sue Bird and the Storm will play Diana Taurasi and the Mercury at Footprint Center on Friday, July 22. Huge night in the WNBA.https://t.co/6o13TdmTjm
— Sarah Kezele 🌵 (@SarahKezele) June 16, 2022
Well I’m breaking out the Bird jersey at Mohegan Sun for what better be an incredible send off for a UConn legend https://t.co/ZzGD6AjsGN
— Robbedy (@robbedy) June 16, 2022
I’m officially planning my trip to Chicago. Midweek to see Sue Bird play the Sky. I have to see her before I die https://t.co/P8MZrFVWB4
— Nicoleeee (@theNicoleJ) June 16, 2022
Googling flights to Seattle and figuring out when I can go see this legend before she retires https://t.co/DocqnLihGe
— Sara Ach (@supertornado3) June 16, 2022
Potentially 5months left for me to see Sue Bird play live😭😭😭 https://t.co/8A6hGDKyXl
— Louisa Okolobe (@Sol_Daro) June 16, 2022
Legend. So glad we got to see her for her last stop in Dallas. https://t.co/qL5nz4bG1g
— Nick Angstadt (@NickVanExit) June 16, 2022
Many fans and fellow players just wanted to thank the legend for an incredible career.
Thank you for paving the way!! You truly will be missed. I’m forever graytful! @S10Bird 🥺🫶🏾💚 https://t.co/OygTgdb1e4
— Reshanda Gray (@nograyareas21) June 16, 2022
End of an era. Legacy forever. Thank you for what you’ve done for the game, Sue ❤️ https://t.co/KTxy1ulbFL
— Arielle (Ari) Chambers (@ariivory) June 16, 2022
One of the best to ever do it 👏🏿 https://t.co/UU5zDcSF29
— Elizabeth Williams (@E_Williams_1) June 16, 2022
i love her 🥹 https://t.co/c9Xfvb0l8r
— dιjonaι carrιngтon♛ (@DijonaiVictoria) June 16, 2022
The end of a dynasty and an era. Feeling incredibly grateful that I, and so many others, got to see this legend play basketball. Thank you for everything, Sue, and go have a hell of a last season #TheFinalYear https://t.co/vmta8Q0htO
— mollie cahillane (@MollieCahillane) June 16, 2022
Bird’s retirement leaves a hole in the WNBA. But here’s hoping that it means we get to see more of her on TV alongside other women’s basketball stars.