When a notable player is honored by the franchise they played for, they’ll typically get their number retired and hung in the rafters and maybe even a statue outside of the arena if they were that legendary. For Dirk Nowitzki, the Mavericks honored him this season by having a decal of his famous one-legged fadeaway in the right corner of each baskets. Though today, Nowitzki received an even bigger honor.

Today, right outside of the American Airlines Center, the section of Olive Street that runs past the AAC was renamed Nowitzki Way. A very fitting, to say the least, honor for The Big German who brought the Mavericks their only championship in 2011 and truly is the all-time face of Dallas sports.

“This is of course a super special day. I’m super humbled that this is possible,” Nowitzki said addressing the crowd inside of the AAC. “This is about my relationship with the city, with the community. This is really what it’s about for me.”

Nowitzki was clearly emotional when it was his turn to speak about his relationship with the city of Dallas and the Mavs fans. But in classic Dirk fashion, he always knows how to get a good laugh out of everyone by cracking a joke on himself.

“My first year was super tough. After my first year, the city probably wouldn’t have named a dumpster after me, let alone a street.”

. @swish41 had to collect himself when it came to thanking Dallas fans and the city. “After my first year they probably wouldn’t have named a dumpster after me, let alone a street.” pic.twitter.com/9DrGd9yD9C

— Brad Townsend (@townbrad) October 30, 2019

Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle shared the stage with Nowitzki and spoke to the crowd as well, sharing a nice story about his wardrobe of the day. Now, Carlisle isn’t necessarily known for his flashy attire but he surely had on the best suit of the day: the suit he wore when the Mavericks clinched the 2011 NBA championship. Carlisle explained that the suit still hasn’t been washed, still soaked in champagne and the tie was still in the same knot as well as the penny in his pocket that he found walking to lunch on the day of Game 6. “I always knew there would be an appropriate day to wear it again.”

A must-hear story from @DallasMavs head coach Rick Carlisle about the last time he wore this suit, his love for @swish41 and the special penny inside his pocket. 😍 pic.twitter.com/d7zfjHfOyK

— Tamara Jolee (@TamaraJolee) October 30, 2019

Overall for Dirk, today wasn’t about him and what he accomplished throughout his 21-year career with the Mavericks. It was about sharing this moment with his family. “I want my parents to see this one day and be proud. I want my kids and wife to see this and be proud.”

Dirty, I can assure you that not only are your parents, wife, and kids proud, but the entire city of Dallas and the basketball world are proud.

Nowitzki Way, has a nice ring to it, huh?