Retired basketball star Sue Bird made history Sunday, becoming the first WNBA player to be honored by her franchise with a statue.
"People keep asking me what it feels like to be the first," Bird, 44, said in a speech at the bronze statue's unveiling ceremony in Seattle. "The truth is that I never set out to be the first at anything, but if being the first means that I won't be the last, if this statue means that 20 years from now, there will be statues of other WNBA greats -- some are in this audience and players whose names we don't even know yet -- then I'm proud to be the first."
Bird's statue stands outside of Climate Pledge Arena, the home of the WNBA's Seattle Storm.
Bird played as a Storm guard for her entire WNBA career, having been selected by the team as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2002 WNBA draft. She retired in 2022, after leading the team to four championship victories. When she retired, Bird was the all-time leader in games and minutes played, as well as assists, and was a 13-time WNBA All-Star.
WNBA players share their dream 1-on-1 matchupsBird is also a five-time Olympic gold medalist and two-time NCAA champion.
Although Bird earned numerous accolades over her two decades with the WNBA, she said being recognized with a statue truly stood out.
"I hope it tells a simple story," Bird said of her statue. "That greatness isn't about being perfect. It's about being persistent. That you can be true to yourself and still achieve extraordinary things."
The statue of Bird was created by artist and sculptor Julie Rotblatt Amrany of Rotblatt Amrany Studio. It features Bird mid-layup, wearing Nike Air Zoom Huarache sneakers, details the former guard said were especially meaningful.
Women's college basketball is having a historic moment"My very first points in the WNBA, at KeyArena, as a rookie, were on a layup. My very final points in the WNBA were at Climate Pledge on a layup," said Bird. "[I'm] not really known for those layups, but it's actually something that means a lot to me. So, this feels very full circle."
Bird was also wearing Nike Air Zoom Huarache sneakers when she won her first Olympic gold medal at the 2004 Athens Games, as well as that year's WNBA championship title.
In her speech on Sunday, Bird also emphasized her love for her adopted home of Seattle and concluded with a humorous note.
"This statue will make sure that a piece of me stays in this city forever, just like this city will always be a part of me," Bird said. "And when you inevitably see a little bird poop on my shoulder, don't worry about it. Just consider it family checking in and reminding me where home is."
