Former Toronto Raptors star player Pascal Siakam bid farewell to the city that became his home in an emotional message posted to the website the Player’s Tribune, and it is giving fans all the feels this morning.
In his heartfelt message, Siakam expressed his deep connection to Toronto, emphasizing that the city is all he has known and wanted to know. Despite the business side of the NBA leading to his trade, Siakam acknowledged the end of an era and the importance of the community he found in Toronto. He highlighted the city’s diversity and the sense of belonging he experienced, especially after a challenging period in his life when his father passed away.
Like so many athletes and everyone else, Siakam was touched by the city’s diversity and his ability to find touches of his home country of Cameroon in a place so far away.
“I remember during my rookie year, me and my brother, we’d go to all these amazing African restaurants and eat the food we loved from back home,” he wrote. “Or even just these African stores we could go to, where they’re selling stuff that usually you only can find in Cameroon. Like this specific brand of fried plantains we’d get bags of.”
Siakam reminisced about his growth with the Raptors, both as a player and as a person. He credited the organization for setting him up for success and expressed gratitude for the support he received from the fans during challenging times, particularly the difficulties faced during the bubble season.
“I’m Toronto forever.”
– Pascal Siakam pic.twitter.com/wIAwUkgd52
— Ernie Clement Enjoyer (@Hockey_Is_All) January 19, 2024
The former Raptors star emphasized his ongoing commitment to the Toronto community, citing the roots he has planted, not just in terms of having a house but as a place where he lives, works, and engages in meaningful endeavors. Siakam expressed excitement about continuing his philanthropic work through the PS43 Foundation.
Sharing a humorous rookie story, Siakam recalled the early days when his jersey wasn’t even available in the team store. He playfully recounted his quest to spot his jersey in the crowd during the national anthems and marveled at how the support for RAPTORS 43 grew from spotting one jersey to becoming a recognizable face in the city.
And, of course, he touched upon the passion of the fans and the eventual NBA championship run of 2019.
“With 2019, we really felt that it’s everyone. Like it was this moment that changed people’s lives. Players, fans, all of us. Maybe that’s a lot for some basketball games, I don’t know. But if you were there then you get what I’m talking about,” he wrote.
Concluding his message on a tearful note, Siakam expressed both the anticipation and sadness of seeing fewer RAPTORS 43 jerseys in the crowd as he returns as an opponent.
“I do hope maybe I spot one. And I’ll still give it a YESSSS!!! on the inside. It’ll still mean a lot to me. Because it’s still a Toronto thing,” he wrote.
“And I’m Toronto forever.”
