It wasn’t easy to write this. It’s been an amazing 11 years, and it’s unreal to think my time here has come to an end. You spend over a decade somewhere, and that place becomes more than just the team you play for. It becomes a part of you.”
That was the way Bradley Beal began an emotional farewell to DC, published in the Players’ Tribune on Monday – a couple of days after his trade to Phoenix became official.
Beal spent almost exactly 11 years in DC, and remembered his first – June 28, 2012 – as both his 19th birthday and the best day of his family’s life.
“I’ll never forget the day the Wizards drafted me, because it was my 19th birthday. June 28, 2012! I remember growing up, my brothers and me, we’d talk about who was going to be the first one to buy our mom her dream house. And when my name got called at #3, we all just embraced — because we knew what that meant. My family sacrificed so many of their dreams in order to help me chase mine … and if I’m telling you about my time in DC, it starts there. The Wizards made it so those dreams could be real.”
Beal went on to thank the community, many in the Wizards’ organization, and 3, and then reflected how he came in as a teenager and is leaving as he is about to turn 30 and has his own family – and then, in conclusion, he gave a cliché that is one of hope for those being separated.
“To everyone in DC: It’s bittersweet. I don’t like how “goodbye” sounds, so let’s just say “see you later.” (We still got 160 to get!! You never know.) Peace, Blessings, and Prosperity to the city and fans. I hope you’ll always consider me one of your own.”
You can read the entire post on The Players’ Tribune.
Follow Lou DiPietro on Twitter: @LouDiPietroWFAN
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