Sunday was about Sue Bird and her historic game. She was the first player ever in WNBA history to be granted a statue from her franchise. The statue was recently unveiled outside Climate Pledge Arena to honor the players’ legacy at home of the Storm, the Seattle Climate Pledge Arena. That’s where Bird committed her relentless, 20-year professional career.
Artist, Julie Rotblatt Amrany, sculpted the statue, depicting Bird in the act of a layup. It features her cutely as hell flaunting a pair of Nike Air Zoom Huarache sneakers. Indeed, this very pose is quite powerful. SQM was able to complete the circle, chronicling her path through the WNBA, honoring her inaugural points made as a rookie in KeyArena, to her last points scored in a retirement game in 2022—Climate Pledge Arena.
Her team, the Seattle Storm, drafted Bird as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2002 WNBA draft. During her career, she coached the Storm to four championship titles and was named a 13-time WNBA All-Star. When she retired, she was the all-time leader in both games played and minutes played. She’s the all-time leader in assists in league history.
Bird’s influence extended well past the WNBA. For a decade, she proved her phenomenal athletic talent to the world as she waltzed away with five Olympic gold medals and two NCAA collegiate championships. Her legacy will continue to echo throughout the basketball community and those who became her fans. The statue is a perfect tribute to her legendary influence on the sport.
In her short speech at the unveiling ceremony, Bird described her own journey and what this moment meant.
“I hope it tells a simple story. That greatness isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being persistent. That you can be true to yourself and still achieve extraordinary things.” – Sue Bird
For Bird, the statue struck a personal chord. She stressed its importance to her in expressing her connection with the city of Seattle.
“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. 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.” – Sue Bird
She just knew how big it was for her to be the first WNBA player to get this honor. She commented on her desire to see other players recognized in future years.
“People keep asking me what it feels like to be the first. 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… then I’m proud to be the first.” – Sue Bird
