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Tim Duncan Day: From Congress to Taco Cabana, everybody loves Tim

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Tim Duncan Day: From Congress to Taco Cabana, everybody loves Tim

A banner thanking Tim Duncan that will hang in front of San Antonio City Hall until Sunday, July 24, 2016. (Photo via @RSantosTV)
A banner thanking Tim Duncan that will hang in front of San Antonio City Hall until Sunday, July 24, 2016. (Photo via @RSantosTV)

The outpouring of respect and praise for Tim Duncan — the legendary and iconic San Antonio Spurs big man and future Hall of Famer who last week quietly announced his retirement after 19 seasons, stretched beyond the NBA community — even reaching the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives.

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Last Thursday, just days removed from Duncan bidding farewell to the only pro franchise he’d ever known, U.S. Rep. Stacey Plaskett — the delegate to the House of Representatives from the U.S. Virgin Islands, where Duncan was born in 1976 — stood in front of her fellow congressmen and women to sing Duncan’s praises and, in light of the multiple recent shootings and killings of black men and police officers, to cast him as something of a model of what an African American can become if supported, nurtured and allowed to breathe free. From Madalyn Mendoza of the San Antonio Express-News:

“I rise today on behalf of so many young African American males who are fearful of their lives, who believe that America don’t realize the exemplary lives that they each live and I also rise to give an example of one African American male who gives the Virgin Islands tremendous pride today,” she said. “I’m here to honor Virgin Islands native and the greatest power forward of all times, Timothy Theodore Duncan, on his retirement from the National Basketball Association.” […]

“The 15-time NBA All Star is an inspiration to many young Virgin Islanders and indeed, many Americans all over this country and an integral figure in his own community for his efforts towards promoting interscholastic athletics and education,” Plaskett said. “He is an exemplary gentleman, unselfish on and off the court, the Virgin Islands thanks him for his 19-year career in the NBA and we want to show him as an example of what can happen if one individual like himself can be on a street safely here in the United States, the great things they can do.”

This week, the celebration of Duncan’s career and legacy continued closer to home, with San Antonio Mayor Ivy R. Taylor declaring Thursday, July 21, 2016, Tim Duncan Day:

The celebration included the hanging of a banner — something Duncan got pretty familiar with, what with the five NBA championships and all — over the entrance to San Antonio City Hall:

… and an official proclamation:

WHEREAS, the true measure of a great city rests in the strength and talents of its individual citizens, and San Antonio has held its position as one of America’s most unique cities because of the contributions by the Spurs power forward—Mr. Tim Duncan; and

WHEREAS, after 19 seasons with one franchise, Tim is the Spurs’ career record holder in almost every statistical category, including five NBA championships, 15 All-STar Games appearances, two league MVP awards, and 3 NBA Finals MVP awards….a true testament of his extraordinary record and outstanding talent in the sport of basketball; and

WHEREAS, the creation of the Tim Duncan Foundation extended his record of excellence beyond the court; with such causes as Tim Duncan’s Bowling for Dollars benefitting the Cancer Society; ‘Beat Cancer’ promotion for the CTRC; and donations to the San Antonio Children’s Shelter, Roy Maas’ Youth Alternatives, Downtown Youth Center, and Kids Sports Network, all have proven to be invaluable support to the community; and

WHEREAS, Tim recognizes that professional athletes influence youth and he strives to serve as a positive role model, and he has positively touched the lives of many people over his career, and brought much positive recognition to himself, his team and to the city of San Antonio; and

Now, therefore, I, Ivy R. Taylor, mayor of the city of San Antonio, and on behalf of the City Council and its citizens, do proudly extend our sincere appreciation to Tim Duncan for all he has done for the Alamo City. He is hereby and forevermore joining the distinguished San Antonians who have made this city such an exceptional place [to] live, work and play.

San Antonians found a variety of ways to show their appreciation for all Duncan’s done:

The San Antonio Fire Department braved what must be boiling hot pavement to show their love:

And, because nothing says holiday fun quite like marketing, some merchants chose to hook fans up with Duncan-related deals:

All this affection and attention must have the man himself absolutely raging with appreciation and excitement.

More NBA coverage:

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Dan Devine is an editor for Ball Don’t Lie on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter!

Stay connected with Ball Don’t Lie on Twitter @YahooBDL, “Like” BDL on Facebook and follow Dunks Don’t Lie on Tumblr for year-round NBA talk, jokes and more.

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