Photo Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Chris Bosh Wrote ‘A Letter To Miami’

“The number ‘1’ will never be worn by another player and we can’t wait to someday hang his jersey in the rafters”.

That’s what Miami Heat president Pat Riley said following Chris Bosh’s release.

After two championships with Miami, Chris Bosh was diagnosed with blot clots in his legs and lungs. This disease as well as blood thinning treatment can cause individuals to stop breathing, or cause significant damage to the heart. Something as small as elbow to a particular area could trigger this to happen, the margin for error is that close.

This hasn’t and isn’t something to play around with. The Heat have done the right thing and Bosh needs to realize this. It may be hard not playing the game you love, but it’s infinitely better than saying goodbye to the game forever.

Chris Bosh was with the Heat for 7 very succesful years and ends his Heat career being all over Miami’s franchise record books. Bosh is 6th all time in field goals made, 10th all time in minutes played, 6th all time in rebounds, 7th all time in blocks, and 5th all time in points.

Bosh now published a very personal letter on his website called ‘Chris Bosh, A Letter to Miami’, in which he thanks the entire Heat organization.

“Dear Miami,

Wow, what a ride! I’ve been reflecting on my time in this great city and want to thank you for being a constant during a period of change in my life. I’ve experienced a few finals appearances, a couple of championships, several weddings (including my own), the birth of four kids, bonding with an entire community and a ton of ups and downs along the way.

It was scary leaving Toronto, a place where people really loved and supported me, and I wasn’t sure if that great feeling would follow me. When I arrived in Miami, I was just hoping for glory and mention amongst the immortals of basketball. What I got was so much more….

I’ve learned how to dream again. I’ve learned how to appreciate the game of basketball and all the things I’ve experienced even more now. People will always see the trophies and banners and think that’s the whole story. But it’s only a piece, only a moment in time. I’ve learned that no matter what happens on the court, the game continues. Even when things changed for me and I couldn’t play, people still supported me and let me know what basketball in Miami meant for them. I truly cherish those encounters. Those good-luck chants or someone simply caring enough to ask about my health—they might seem like small gestures but they are some of my fondest memories.

We went through life together, Miami. You showed me how to stay strong and push through in the toughest moments. And although I didn’t like it at the time, it made all the difference in the long run. It made me a better man, the person I am today. Thank you.

Thank you to everyone—here in Miami, across the nation and around the world—who has been a part of #TeamBosh. I hope you will continue to follow me on my journey, wherever that leads me.”

These are only parts of the letter. Read the full letter here –> Chris Bosh’s letter.