Dirk,
Congratulations on all that you've accomplished in life off the court and, if this is indeed the end of the road for your playing career, on the court as well. Thank you so much for everything you have given the Mavericks, MFFLs, the DFW metroplex, and beyond. There's not a single athlete in our metroplex's rich sports history whose combination of athletic contributions and community impact is greater than yours.
I write for myself but I imagine my sentiments are shared by many. You are unequivocally my favorite athlete of all-time. That's due in part to your career accomplishments, but more so for the person whom you've demonstrated you are over the years. Your hard work, perseverance, and commitment professionally as well as your compassion, character, and class personally should be a lesson to us all. And to do it with the unfathomable responsibility, expectation, and attention you've shouldered makes it that much more impressive.
Whether your career ends this year or not, there's no doubt that your indelible footprint on this community through your generosity and charitable efforts will only grow. I think it's through these experiences as much as it is all the points you've scored that so many in this metroplex consider you an adopted son as we've watched you grow from a chili-bowl sportin', hoop earring rockin' kid from Germany into the face of not only the Mavericks, but Dallas/Fort Worth.
I was born in 1989. Basketball was my first love. My earliest sports memories are going to Mavs games with my dad and brothers during the dark years. That was back before I knew what tanking was and thus every regular season win was worthy of a celebration. But celebrating the fact the team would get to 20 wins in a season only carries so much joy. Your arrival, and the formation of the Big 3, helped spark the most exciting era of Mavericks basketball. As the roster evolved, your presence was a constant, as was both your elite production and the winning basketball that came with it.
But you weren't just some ordinary star, if there was such a thing. You helped pioneer a breed of player by redefining a position. You led a movement and developed a style emulated by many. Basketball couldn't have stumbled upon a better ambassador to pave the way.
In 2011, you did it! Many MFFLs like me experienced greater joy knowing that you won and got the title you deserved more than the joy we experienced as our favorite team won the NBA Championship. As humans with our own challenges and levels of adversity, we connected with a star who, in the public eye, dealt with his own set of challenges. While none of our emotions could compare to what you experienced, we hurt for you on-the-court in 2006 and 2007 and off-the-court in 2009. But, nothing makes us smile wider than revisiting the joy you appeared to experience in 2011.
Dirk, I grew up with you. As a passionate sports fan, you've indirectly been a big part of my life. Heck, when I proposed to my best friend in 2017 inside the Mavs locker room, as you know, I did so in front of your locker with the ring waiting inside of it. You'll always be the first athlete I ever loved and I can't wait to share stories about you the way older generations share stories about their athletic loves.
If this is end, I'm so proud of the way you've done it. The receptions you've received around the league give me chills and make us, Mavs fans, so proud. You never asked for this. Your potential farewell has been organic—not contrived or forced upon anyone— based on the love and respect you've earned around the league. You might not love it, but deserve it.
In a football town, you, a basketball player from Germany and our adopted son of DFW, earned the throne. You did so not just as a great competitor, but as a great person.
So, I guess there's only one way to end this: "Shut It Down! Let's Go Home!"
Wishing You the Very Best,
Jared Sandler
