Chelsea crowd erupts with cheers for John Terry in his final game (Video)

After a storied career, John Terry’s time with Chelsea came to an end Sunday, but not before the crowd could honor him.

John Terry has been a member of Chelsea FC for 22 years, but Sunday’s final match again Sunderland is his last in the Premier League at Stamford Bridge. When his name was announced prior to Sunday’s fixture, the home crowd was deafening.

Chelsea is trying to honor Terry in a number of ways. According to Sky Sports, the club wants to retire his jersey (No. 26) following next Saturday’s FA Cup Final against Arsenal.

John Terry started the match at center back, but was substituted by coach Antonio Conte in the 26th minute. The timing was no accident. It was meant to be the same minute as the legend’s jersey number.

This was a very emotional moment on the pitch. All of his teammates came to hug him and even the opponents paid their respects. The team formed a guard of honor next to the sideline as Terry walked off the field for the final time. Terry was almost tearing up as Gary Cahill entered the game in his place. This is highly symbolic as the legend hands the captain armband to the man who will now assume the role.

Before the match, Antonio Conte said that he wanted Terry’s playing time to be a “surprise.”

The tribute was a surprise and nearly perfect.

Next: 10 best League Cup finals ever

Terry got very little playing time this season, so Chelsea could have left Terry on the bench as they chased the first 30 win season in a 38 match season in Premier League history.

In his 22 years with the club, Terry has played in 716 games. He was won 15 major trophies with the club, as well. Terry, 36, has spent most of his life with the club since joining it in 1995 as a 14-year-old.