Raptors Just Sent The Sweetest Thank-You Note To Vince Carter As He Retires
It's been 22 long seasons, but it's finally time. Toronto Raptors legend Vince Carter has retired and officially put his shoes up on June 25. Although he ends his long-lasting career with the Atlanta Hawks, the Raps gave a touching "thank you" on their social media pages to recognize his legacy on the team.
Carter confirmed the news of his long-touted retirement on Thursday.
"Vinsanity" started his career with the Toronto Raptors back in 1998 and played for seven seasons.
Even despite their status as 2019 champions and the initial ill-feeling after he left the city, Vince's time in the 6ix is something many Raptors fans have come to treasure in recent years.
"I'm officially done playing basketball professionally," were the words that came out of the living legend's mouth in an interview on the "Winging It with Vince Carter" podcast.
And the Raptors made sure to give him a proper thanks and goodbye from the whole of Canada on Thursday afternoon.
"Dear Vince," the emotional message, which was shared on Raptors' socials, read.
"Thank you for inspiring a nation to believe. Thank you for laying the foundation of basketball in Canada. Thank you for letting us fly with you. Thank you for a lifetime of memories. Love, Canada."
No, we're not crying. Why do you ask?
Carter's retirement is bittersweet for him and his fans alike.
His career effectively ended back in March, months earlier than he would have hoped, due to the developing COVID-19 pandemic.
The Hawks were unable to continue on with the season as they wouldn't have qualified for the postseason.
The Raptors weren't the only 6ix franchise to honour Vince, though.
The Toronto Maple Leafs shared an old photo of Carter wearing the team's jersey during hockey practice, accompanied by the goat emoji.
Back in February, the Raps were able to create an emotional video montage for Carter as he played against the Toronto team in his penultimate return to the 6ix.
Even then, current Raps icon Kyle Lowry was urging the team to retire Carter's jersey in honour of his achievements with the franchise.
The two most notable Raptor players even happen to be great friends, and Carter called KLow the greatest Raptor of all time after that game.
It takes a great to know a great, after all.
So long, Vince.