After Dwane Casey's dismissal as head coach of the Toronto Raptors on Friday, the NBA world rose in unison to hail the 61-year-old Kentucky native as classy, courteous, and kind.
Casey lived up to those compliments by putting out a note of thanks to the city and the country in the Toronto Star.
"Dear Toronto, Thank you." Casey began the letter. "Thank you to basketball fans across this city and the country of Canada who supported the Raptors and welcomed my family with open arms during our seven years here."
Casey went on to thank the players, staff, and organization, specifically highlighting Larry and Judy Tanenbaum for their support over his seven seasons at the helm.
Having grown up during the civil rights era in the southern U.S., the diversity in Toronto and the chance to live in Canada had always been special to Casey, which he made a point to address.
"Thank you for teaching our all-American family the Canadian way. That being polite and considerate to one another is always the best way. That diversity is something to be embraced and celebrated. That taking the time to learn about each other’s cultures is the surest way to find common ground and understanding. Thank you for making our children feel safe, valued, and comfortable in their own skin. We cannot express how important it has been to build the foundations of who our children are as human beings in a country that shows through its words, actions, and laws that all people deserve basic human rights, and a chance to reach their goals through education and hard work."
