"You Have Welcomed My Family And Me With Open Arms": Al Horford Expresses Gratitude To Boston Celtics Franchise

This past weekend, news broke of free agent center Al Horford signing a multi-year contract with the Golden State Warriors. This means that Horford has decided to bid farewell to the Boston Celtics, his NBA home for the better part of 10 years.

Right as this report was taking the internet by storm, Horford went on his personal X account to post a goodbye message to the Celtics. It was the type of message that could make former teammates, coaches, and legions of fans cry.

“From the moment we arrived, you have welcomed my family and I with open arms,” Horford wrote. “This chapter in my career will hold a special place in my heart.”

Interestingly, the timeline of this “chapter” in Horford’s career isn’t quite straightforward. After spending his first nine years in the NBA as a member of the Atlanta Hawks, Horford decided to sign a four-year, $113 million max deal with the Celtics. The 6-foot-9 big man played three seasons with Boston before signing in free agency with the Philadelphia 76ers. Just a season later, Horford was on the move once again, getting traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Then, during the 2021 offseason, Horford was traded to Boston, marking the second time that he would be playing for the Celtics. During this second stint with the Celtics, Horford got to reach the summit along with the likes of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown as the team won the 2024 NBA championship.

“Raising banner 18 with this city will be a moment I will always cherish,” Horford wrote in his farewell message. “I am forever grateful for the fans and the organization. Thank you, Boston.”

Notably, the team that Horford will be joining was the same franchise that defeated the Celtics in the 2022 NBA Finals. However, Boston would not be denied two years later when they won their 18th championship at the expense of the Dallas Mavericks.

Now, Horford will seek to win his second NBA title with the likes of Steph Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green in the Bay Area. The 18-year pro isn’t the scorer that he once was, but the veteran leadership and toughness that he brings to Golden State can’t be denied.