When Did Sue Bird Retire? Unpacking A Basketball Legend's Final Chapter
For many who follow basketball, especially those devoted to the WNBA, the question of "When did Sue Bird retire?" holds a really special place. It's not just about a date on a calendar; it's about the moment a true titan of the sport stepped away from the court, leaving behind a legacy that, honestly, few athletes could ever hope to match. Her time playing was, you know, incredibly long and filled with so many memorable moments, so it's only natural that fans want to understand the exact timeline of her departure.
This legendary player, someone many consider the "GOAT" of women's basketball, brought her incredible career to a close after years of making an indelible mark on the game. It was a moment that, in a way, marked the end of an era for the Seattle Storm and, really, for the entire league. We'll look at the specific details of when she made that big decision and when she actually played her final game, so you get the full picture.
Understanding when Sue Bird retired means looking at a few key moments, from her initial announcement to the very last game she played. It also involves remembering the powerful connection she had with her fans, who, you know, played a part in her coming back for that one last amazing season. So, let's explore the timeline of this iconic player's farewell to the sport she graced for so long.
Table of Contents
- A Look Back at a Legendary Career
- The Official Announcement: The Decision to Retire
- "One More Year!": The Story Behind Her Return
- The Final Game: A Farewell on the Court
- A Legacy Beyond the Court
- Frequently Asked Questions About Sue Bird's Retirement
A Look Back at a Legendary Career
Before we pinpoint the exact moment Sue Bird stepped away, it's pretty important, you know, to appreciate the incredible journey she had in professional basketball. She spent an astonishing 21 years playing in the WNBA, which is, honestly, a very, very long time for any athlete to stay at the top of their game. Her entire WNBA career was spent with just one team, the Seattle Storm, making her a truly unique figure in the sport. That kind of loyalty and dedication is, you know, something you don't see every day in professional sports, and it really built a deep connection with the city and its fans. She was, in a way, the heart and soul of that team for decades.
Her impact on Seattle, in particular, is pretty much unlike any other athlete who has played there. She wasn't just a player; she was, you know, a symbol of excellence and consistency. Fans often consider her the "GOAT," or Greatest Of All Time, for very good reason, given her numerous championships and individual accolades. Her career was filled with, like, so many moments of brilliance, and she always played with such grace and skill. It's almost, you know, hard to imagine the league without her presence on the court, given how long she played and how much she achieved. She really did leave a lasting impression on the sport, and on the city she called home for so long.
Personal Details & Bio Data
| Team | Seattle Storm (WNBA) |
| Years Played in WNBA | 21 seasons |
| Jersey Number | #10 |
The Official Announcement: The Decision to Retire
The decision for Sue Bird to retire wasn't, you know, a sudden thing that just happened out of nowhere. It was something that, in some respects, had been building for a little while. She had, as a matter of fact, given some hints that the 2021 season might be her last. But, as we'll get into, fans played a pretty big part in her coming back for one more go. However, when it came to making it official for her final season, Bird made the public announcement in June 2022. Specifically, she publicly confirmed on June 16, 2022, that she would indeed retire from playing professional basketball after the 2022 WNBA season concluded. This confirmation came midway through the Storm's schedule that year, giving fans, you know, a clear understanding of her plans and a chance to truly appreciate her final games.
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Her retirement, honestly, didn't come as a huge surprise to many people who follow the league closely. Most had, you know, expected as much, given her long and distinguished career. Even so, the official word still carried a lot of weight, confirming that this truly would be her last dance on the professional stage. It meant that every game from that point on in the 2022 season was, in a way, a part of her farewell tour, allowing fans to soak in her greatness one last time. This announcement, you know, set the stage for what would be an emotional close to an unparalleled career, and it was, arguably, a very thoughtful way to let everyone know her intentions.
By announcing it midway through the season, Bird gave her devoted fans and the entire WNBA community time to, you know, process the news and prepare for her departure. It allowed for a period of reflection on her immense contributions to the sport. This kind of transparency is, you know, something fans really appreciate, as it lets them celebrate a player's career properly. So, while the decision was made in June, the impact of that announcement truly resonated through the rest of the 2022 season, leading up to her final moments on the court, which we'll discuss next.
"One More Year!": The Story Behind Her Return
It's interesting, you know, because Sue Bird had actually contemplated retirement even before the 2022 season. She had, in fact, indicated around the end of the 2021 season that it would likely be her last time playing professionally. But, as a matter of fact, something truly special happened that made her change her mind and come back for one more season. Seattle fans, known for their deep devotion, chanted "one more year!" as she left the court after the 2021 season concluded. This powerful display of affection and desire for her to continue playing really touched her, and it seems, you know, it helped sway her decision.
In her own words, Bird shared a video in a post of fans chanting "one more year" in January, which was, you know, around the time she decided she would indeed play during the 2022 season. This shows just how much that fan support meant to her and how it influenced her choice to return for a final run. It was a very emotional moment for her, both at the end of the 2021 season and then again in 2022, as she knew this time would truly be the end. So, it's pretty clear that the fans' chants were, like, a significant factor in getting her back on the court for that extra year, giving everyone one last chance to see her play.
This decision to return for "one more year" made the 2022 season even more poignant, you know. It wasn't just another season; it was, in a way, a gift to the fans who had cheered her on for so long. It allowed her to, you know, have a proper farewell, something that many athletes don't get. Her coming back showed her deep connection to the team and the city, and it's, honestly, a testament to the bond she built over her many years playing. So, while she made the decision to retire in June 2022, the seeds of that final season were really planted by the passionate cries of "one more year!" from her adoring fans.
The Final Game: A Farewell on the Court
While Sue Bird made the decision to retire in June 2022, and publicly announced it then, her actual playing career came to a close a few months later. Her season, and thus her illustrious career, officially ended on September 7, 2022. This date marks her very last game as a professional basketball player. It was, you know, Game 4 of the Seattle Storm's playoff series. They were playing against the Las Vegas Aces, who, as a matter of fact, went on to become the eventual champions that year. It wasn't, you know, the storybook ending that every athlete dreams of, winning a championship in their final game, but it was, nevertheless, a deeply significant moment.
On that Tuesday night, when her Seattle Storm lost to the Las Vegas Aces, who then advanced to the WNBA Finals, legendary basketball player Sue Bird bid farewell to the sport. She officially hung up her sneakers and retired from the league after the Storm were eliminated from the WNBA playoffs. It was, arguably, a very emotional night, not just for Bird herself, but for her teammates, coaches, and, of course, the countless fans who had followed her career for over two decades. The atmosphere in the arena must have been, you know, incredibly charged with emotion, as everyone knew they were witnessing history.
Her retirement, as we've noted, had been announced earlier in the season, so this final game wasn't a surprise ending. It was, in a way, the culmination of a planned farewell. Even though the Storm didn't win the series, Bird's performance and her presence on the court were, you know, still something to behold. It was a chance for everyone to say goodbye to one of the game's true greats. The date, September 7, 2022, will forever be remembered as the day Sue Bird played her last professional basketball game, bringing an incredible 21-year career to a close. She had, you know, given so much to the sport, and this was her final bow on the big stage.
A Legacy Beyond the Court
Sue Bird's retirement isn't just about the date she stopped playing; it's about the immense legacy she leaves behind, which, you know, continues to resonate throughout the sport. After 21 years in the WNBA, she has, pretty much, etched her name into the history books in a way that very few others have. Her impact goes far beyond the statistics and the championships she helped her team win. She's a player who, in a way, transcended the game itself, becoming a role model and an inspiration for so many, both on and off the court. Her iconic #10 jersey was, in fact, raised to the rafters of Climate Pledge Arena on June 11th, 2023, a little while after her last game, cementing her place in the Storm's history forever.
Her career was so long and so successful that she became a benchmark for excellence and longevity in women's basketball. She spent her entire WNBA career with the Seattle Storm, which is, you know, a very rare feat in professional sports these days. This kind of dedication really fostered a deep connection with the city and its fan base, making her, as we've said, unlike any other athlete in Seattle's history. She always played with such passion and intelligence, and she was, you know, a true leader for her team, both in tough times and in moments of great triumph. It's almost, you know, hard to imagine the WNBA without her steady presence, even now.
Bird's influence also extends to her personal connections within the league. She hoped that she and Diana Taurasi, another long-time superstar, put on some really good shows over the years, and they certainly did. Their friendly rivalry and mutual respect were, you know, a highlight for many fans. While Bird is done playing, Taurasi may still be going, which, in a way, highlights Bird's decision to step away when she felt it was right. For many longtime fans, though, the "GOAT" has already been decided, and Sue Bird is, arguably, that person. She might be the GOAT, but she's looking for new pastures, meaning she's moving on to the next chapter of her life after an extraordinary career. You can learn more about her incredible journey and influence on our site, and also find more stories like this on this page.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sue Bird's Retirement
People often have questions about the specific details of Sue Bird's retirement, so here are some common ones that come up, just to make things clear.
When did Sue Bird officially announce her retirement?
Sue Bird publicly confirmed on June 16, 2022, that she would retire from playing professional basketball after the 2022 WNBA season. This announcement was made midway through the Storm's schedule that year, giving fans plenty of notice.
What date was Sue Bird's last game?
Her very last game was played on September 7, 2022. This was Game 4 of the Seattle Storm's playoff series against the Las Vegas Aces, where the Storm were eliminated from the playoffs.
Why did Sue Bird decide to play in 2022 after contemplating retirement in 2021?
After the 2021 season, fans chanted "one more year!" as she left the court, which really touched her. This powerful show of support from her fans played a significant role in her decision to return for the 2022 season, giving everyone one final chance to see her play.
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