Gobert Says Thank You In Letter To Jazz Fans
Dec 20, 2020, 9:24 AM | Updated: 9:25 am
Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz warms up before a game against the Sacramento Kings at Vivint Smart Home Arena on October 26, 2019 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
(Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Rudy Gobert extended his gratitude to Utah Jazz fans in a letter posted to social media after signing his contract extension with the team.
Gobert posted the letter on Twitter explaining the lessons he learned to reach this point in his career, and his future plans with the Jazz.
“First, today is a special day for me and my family. I came to Utah when I was 21 years old, from a small blue-collar town, Saint-Quentin,” Gobert wrote. “I did not come to the US with much, but I did come with values that my mom instilled within my siblings and I.”
Dear Utah… pic.twitter.com/S806F4oZ6d
— Rudy Gobert (@rudygobert27) December 20, 2020
“1) Always be true to yourself, 2) respect and be good to others, no matter their job their status or their differences. 3) and with hard work you can achieve anything,” the letter read. “I’ve always been treated with the same values since I got here. And these were the reasons why I made Utah my home.”
Gobert’s deal with the Jazz is worth $205 million over five years beginning in the summer of 2021.
“I have grown as a player, but more importantly, I have grown as a man over the last 7 years,” Gobert said. “You’ve seen me through the good times, you’ve also seen me through struggles and mistakes and you have been patient while watching this French kid grow. Throughout, you have always supported me and taken me in as one of your own.”
The Jazz released a video narrated by fellow Frenchman and former Jazz teammate Boris Diaw detailing Gobert’s career since being drafted by the team, including his two Defensive Player of the Year awards.
The kid from Saint-Quentin is staying in SLC ❤️ pic.twitter.com/z6gtZrb5yv
— utahjazz (@utahjazz) December 20, 2020
Finally, Gobert finished his letter by thanking Jazz for their support, and stating his goals of winning a championship in Utah.
“I’ll end by saying thank you, I’m here to stay, I’m here to WIN a Championship,” Gobert said. “I’m here to win with my brothers, I’m here to win with Coach Q and I’m here to win with you, Utah. Let’s get it.”
The Jazz open the regular season on Wednesday on the road against the Portland Trail Blazers.
