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One of the top power couples in sports made another high-profile appearance on Sunday.
Megan Rapinoe and Sue Bird returned to Climate Pledge Arena for the latter's jersey retirement, a lengthy but emotional ceremony that saw the star of the OL Reign and the United States women's team tear up while introducing her girlfriend -- a Seattle Storm legend.
Rapinoe gives Bird her flowers
Rapinoe served as co-master of ceremonies alongside rapper Macklemore, a Seattle native and Storm fan. Rapinoe set the tone for the ceremony by congratulating Bird on completing "arguably the best career that anyone has had" in sports history.
Those are potent words coming from Rapinoe, often regarded as one of the greatest female soccer players in the history of the sport. Known almost as much for her fashion sense and social activism as she is for her play on the pitch, Rapinoe has made 199 appearances for the US national team and received a Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2022.
Celebrating Sue Bird
Rapinoe and Bird began dating in 2016, long after the Seattle Storm point guard had solidified her position as one of the WNBA's greats.
In a 20-year career spent entirely with Seattle, Bird won four WNBA championships and became the league's all-time assists leader. On the international stage, she won five Olympic gold medals and four FIBA World Cups. Now, her #10 jersey hangs in the rafters at the Storm's home arena.