MINNEAPOLIS -- It was obvious judging from the sheer number of people who showed up for the Lynx WNBA Championship parade on Tuesday that this town wanted a winner.
For the first time in 20 years, downtown Minneapolis welcomed home a professional sports team that just won the title.
"Thank you. You brought hope and inspiration to our city," fan Gary New said to the team as they paraded past.
The parade ended with Minnesota's hometown hero Lindsay Whalen and the WNBA MVP Simone Augustus being enveloped by thousands of fans.
A magical season, 2011 was, forecast by player Candace Wiggins back in January. "It is the year of 11 it is!," Wiggins exclaimed from the Target Center floor.
Nearly 5,000 fans packed into the Target Center to say thanks, even the boss of the state couldn't stay away.
"For the first time in 20 years in Minnesota there is a world champion in pro sports," Governor Mark Dayton said.
"We absolutely LOVE you guys," team leader Taj McWilliams-Franklin said as the team took the stage at the rally.
Every player said thank you at some point to the fans and that's just one more reason why this team, this title is so special.
It's for all of us, no matter who we are, but most of all it's for that little girl somewhere in this state who watched these players and said that will be me someday.
"You watch, in 15 years how many little girls are playing ball because they watched this series right here," fan Julie Lane said.
(Copyright 2011 by KARE. All Rights Reserved.)