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A17
SPORTS Saturday 4 February 2017

WINNER

TALKS ALL

Retired Houston Rockets cen-
ter Yao Ming speaks to the
media before an NBA basket-
ball game between the Hous-
ton Rockets and Chicago
Bulls, Friday, Feb. 3, 2017, in
Houston.
Associated Press
Rockets

retiring Yao

Ming’s No. 11

jersey

JORDAN GODWIN
Associated Press
HOUSTON (AP) — The
first time Yao Ming ever
watched an NBA game as Brady, Ryan
a young boy in China, he
wondered why there were set for Super
jerseys hanging in the raf-
ters. Bowl LI
“The cameras randomly
gave a shot of the retired showdown
jerseys,” Yao said.
“I slowly realized over time
that’s the highest honor
a player can achieve for
themselves and for the
team. I will always ask my-
self, ‘What is the story be-
hind it?’ I hope people see
the jersey there and re-
member the story.
Not just myself, but my
teammates, my oppo-
nents, we put a story to-
gether.” The Lombardi Trophy is seen on dis-
The Rockets are set to re- play at the NFL Experience ahead
tire Yao’s No. 11 jersey in a of the NFL Super Bowl 51 football
halftime ceremony Friday game Friday, Feb. 3, 2017, in Hous-
night when they host the ton. The New England Patriots will
face the Atlanta Falcons in the Su-
Chicago Bulls. per Bowl Sunday.
Associated Press
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