Dirk's ring is one of the best stories in sports history, and one of the most impressive as well

God damn, I will miss Dirk so much. I am from Athens Greece, a Panathinaikos fan. That man made me a Dallas Mavericks fan, made me love the 00s in NBA. I put my feelings in him, and I've never celebrated for an individual athlete's accomplishment, as loud as I did for his legendary ring in 2011. That rainbow dagger three... Damn... I want to cry. Time flies by so fast. I shall never forget you, Legend.

Mark followill also mavs future legend

Didn't think I would cry, but I did at the end. I am going to miss Dirk so effing much. He may be leaving, but everything he did on the court is in the history books and will be remembered by fans of the game forever, so I just want to say to Dirk: thank you for all the memories.

I started following Dirk's game when I was a junior high school student. Couldn't believe it's been over 14 years for this long journey. Literally, I grew up watching Dirk play. People used to say Dirk is soft, but he's never soft, he's always been the toughest guy throughout the NBA history. I went crazy when Dirk finally managed to bring Mavericks the first championship in franchise history. I was so happy for his dream finally being granted. Though still couldn't deal with the overwhelming emotion, I'm relieved after knowing what he's been through physically over the last two years. The only reason that keeps me still passionate about basketball is Dirk. There'll never be another Dirk, and my childhood, my youth time is now dying with his retirement. Thank you, Drik !

Danke Dirk. Du bist nicht nur einer der größten Sportler die jemals in unserem Land geboren wurden, du bist auch einer der größten Botschafter unseres Landes. Du bist einfach wunderbar und dieser großartige Sport Basketball wird ärmer ohne dich sein.

This was such a beautiful tribute. I'm losing my emotions.

I was 9 years old his rookie year, now a 30 year old man. Spent my life watching him. My favorite dfw sports figure ever. Thanks dirk

I'll never forget June 24th 1998. As a 15 year old kid, I wasn't thrilled when the Mavs traded the 6th pick Robert Traylor to the Bucks for the rights to Dirk and Pat Garrity, mainly because Robert Traylor was a name that I'd heard before. Then the last 21 years happened. There will NEVER be another Dirk Nowitzki. What he means to DFW sports is bar none more than any other athlete ever. Thank You 41! For 21 amazing years, ups, downs, heartbreaks and that damn championship that we waited so long for!! Thank you Dirk

From one of the millions of fans that will never get to "personally" know you, thank you Dirk for everything!

Cried watching this live..cried again watching today..

I remember watching before they got Dirk with Gary Trent, Erick Strickland, Michael Finley. I got into Mavs basketball then, but didn't know Dirk would turn into this legend. I always felt he was one of us, the nice kind guy just trying to make it. I will always be biased when he made all star games and the only representing us in those game, always wanting him to be the MVP. It was only till the end how surprised I was that other teams and fans actually felt the same as we Dallas mavs fan did. It still hard to believe this regular kind nice guy is a legend now. =)

Thanks Dirk from Germany !!!

I am crying man. There will never be another

We also need to give a mad respect to this man 1:02. And I like what Dirk did here 4:10

I'm going to miss you Dirk and your awesome fade away shot, Thank you Dirk for the great memories 👏👍🏆

842 likes, 0 dislikes. Says it all :)

LEGENDS NEVER DIE. Dirk is the Mavericks.

This is such a beautiful tribute and I am crying.

Dirk, my Hero❤️

41st person to hit the like button.... peace love and blessings Dirk, thanks for the ride!

Thank you dirk, you are an inspiration not just a basketball player but as a person, as well. You showed us example of loyalty and humility. Again, thank you dirk

Always been a mav.. Hey dirk comeback 1 season... mr. 41 legend...

I've been crying off and on all day. This is the end of an era, feels like a part of me is gone too. This man has had more of an impact on Dallas and the MFFLs than he will ever realize.

Not a Mav's fan, but this dude deserves the same respect as the chosen few who will never be forgotten. Playing Dallas just won't be the same without him.

Here In Dallas, Win Or Lose, We've Always Supported Dirk. The Entire Franchise. But Dirk Was Special. He Brought Dallas A Championship. Regardless Of It Only Being 1 Ring. We Didn't Care About That. We Love Dirk In Dallas And To See Him Retire Has Always Been Our Worse Fear. But We Knew It Was Coming. I'm Happy For Him. His Family. Thank You For Sharing Dirk With Us And Giving Dallas The Ride Of Our Lives For 21 Seasons👏🌟💯

I love that asg moment with dirk and the splash bros. Also that kobe pat on the back.

Dirk's my homeboy!

Thanks for this tribute. Thanks Dirk!

Thanks Dirk and good luck to your future endeavors.. Hopefully you can pass on your shooting touch to your heir apparent - the student will become now the master.. Such a great Open Letter for the best Mavs that ever played the game..

I think 0 dislikes says it all. Great open Letter!

Thank you, Dirk. Number 41, 21 years, 1 team.

Not one dislike. Love it

Such an awesome Video! I couldn't have picked a better favorite player and role model in my life. Your the man Dirk! #41 Legend for life!

How people love this man. Hes been killing the league for 21 years,too many victims.my favorite player since sir charles

Such a nice tribute to Dirk's journey on the league it may not be one like the other legends but for his fans like us its the greatest and most compelling journey. We will miss watching him in the court but we know he will continue promoting and loving the game. Thank you dirk

Thanks Dirk, you da you da best! #MFFL

He played amazing

Dirk... True professional, TRUE MAN:)

Nicely done! Nothing but ove and respect for #dirknowitzki We will miss you play!

Hes the Greatest THE Greatest

i am very very emotional..thinking about Dirk his journey and his retirement ..love you so much..god bless my dear..

Class.

Did anyone else see that little kid give the thumbs down while dirk got a standing ovation kids these days have no respect

Dirk Nowitzki is the King of Dallas! 👑

Dirk you will TRULY be missed 🏀🏀🏀🏀❤ you

danke dirk,du bist einer der grössten sportler und mensch alles zeiten

The "Open Letter" caption I knew would bring me to this. I knew it would trigger me down at the end of the video though I love the pound beat. And just like this, I knew saying goodbye from someone iconic means so much to an epic closing. Dirk is a gift with endless appreciations. Impressive Journey 41.21.1.

To everything said in this great open letter: ditto!

I got his jersey for my birthday years ago, but I wore it all through the 2011 Finals when they clinched it.

Thank you.

Glad he won that award recently, Followill is great.

Thank you Dirk

so many onions stop it :-(

🔥

I'm not crying, you're crying :')

It's just now starting to dawn on me how much the Mavs will suck now that he's retired.

farewell, hero

Dear Dirk levinsky I am a single I have three lovely children my oldest one he likes the Dallas Mavericks any likes car vets my second to the oldest he was diagnosed with autism and seizure disorders give me some romance. He like the Dallas Mavericks also my little one was diagnosed with autism and seizure disorders he also like the Dallas Mavericks they always did they can see the game someday soon I was hoping you can make the Christmas wish come true and send him this year to see the Dallas Mavericks like I said I am a single mom don't have any money to do anything for them for Christmas God bless you Dirk levinsky thank you and God bless you again

Hate all Dallas teams....lol.....however, he is and will always b.....a class act!....take note rookies

He's up there with Oliver Kahn and Michael Schumacher

This man better get a statue in dallas!

no one dislikes here.. a true GOAT in Dallas

Zero dislike

Hakeem or dirk who is the best international player???

Naisu 1k likes with no dislikes

1k likes..... 0 dislikes

WTF, These onions are everywhere.

put those onions away from me now

0 dislikes, this is NOT a miracle :-)

Dirk didn't need no super team. Lebron ruined the nba to me, except for in 2011 ofcourse :)

HELLO AMERICA, can you PLEASE quit doing these things without the unnecessariy piano cheesefest? THANK YOU!

Thank you Dirk