Seahawks’ Bobby Wagner applauds Storm on WNBA title, says Sue Bird ‘deserves a statue’
The Seahawks have opened the season 4-0 — for the second time in franchise history after opening with the same record during their Super Bowl-winning season in 2013 — and already seem on track for yet another postseason appearance.
But, while they seek to bring a second Super Bowl win to Seattle, another of the city’s sports franchises brought home its fourth championship Tuesday, and Seahawks All-Pro linebacker Bobby Wagner was quick to applaud the local team with more titles than any other.
“Congratulations to the Storm for winning the championship,” Wagner said during a Zoom call with reporters Wednesday. “It was amazing to watch them dominate.”
The Storm added to their championship tally — two of their title wins have come in the past three seasons — by topping the Las Vegas Aces in three games in the past week, including clinching this year’s WNBA title with a 92-59 win Tuesday.
Seattle didn’t lose a postseason game, sweeping both the Minnesota Lynx in the semifinals and the Aces in the finals.
“It’s fun to watch them play basketball,” Wagner said. “Hopefully we can do the same thing that they did.”
Coach Pete Carroll, quarterback Russell Wilson and safety Jamal Adams were among others from the Seahawks to offer the Storm their congratulations on social media.
“Congratulations ladies,” Adams wrote on Twitter. “YOU GO DOWN IN HISTORY!”
The Storm have won a record 11 consecutive games in finals appearances since their first title run in 2004, and swept their championship series in both 2010 and 2018.
They won each of their three games against Las Vegas this season by double digits en route to the title. Forward Breanna Stewart was named the WNBA Finals MVP for the second time, and veteran point guard Sue Bird, who has played on all four of Seattle’s championship squads, again guided the Storm to a title.
Wagner joined the masses in admiring Bird, who turns 40 next week, as one of the greatest players in WNBA history.
“She’s a legend,” Wagner said. “She should get a statue somewhere. No matter where it’s at. She deserves a statue.”
Wagner also recognized the Storm, and the WNBA as a whole, for being at the forefront of the fight for social justice and racial equality.
Players have been leaders in advocating for change. The league dedicated its season to Breonna Taylor, as well as the “Say Her Name” movement, vowing to be a “voice for the voiceless.” The WNBA also joined other major sports leagues in postponing games in August in protest following the police shooting of Jacob Blake.
“It’s been very impressive,” Wagner said of the league’s activism. “It’s been influential in many ways, and I’m grateful for all those ladies.”
This story was originally published October 7, 2020 at 6:34 PM.
