Livvy Dunne was left in tears after bidding farewell to LSU gymnastics in an emotional video posted to her Instagram.
The 22-year-old announced her retirement after her eligibility with the LSU Tigers ended.
After a disappointing 2025 season, Dunne and LSU were still able to close their chapter together with a touching farewell.
The Tigers won their first-ever NCAA title last year with Dunne, but failed to replicate the feat this season after their season was derailed by the star’s injury.
Dunne is one of the top faces — and earners — of college sports during the NIL era.
She had an NIL evaluation of more than $4 million, per On3Sports, which is more than double that of the current highest female earner, fellow LSU star Flau’jae Johnson.
Dunne already has a $9.5 million net worth and has signed lucrative deals with Jake Paul.
Dunne — who has 5.4 million followers on Instagram — had to watch from the sidelines at the Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas as LSU finished third with a 197.5250 team score while Utah (197.7625) and UCLA (197.7375) moved onto the national title final.
Dunne posted on X following LSU’s elimination, “
out gymnastics it’s been real… and of course forever LSU!”
Her retirement announcement was followed by a heartfelt video that saw her sit in a theatre as highlights of her career were played in front of her.
Towards the end of the two-minute video, you could see Dunne crying as she said goodbye to the sport she has competed in for 20 years.
“Time flies when you’re having fun,” Dunne says in the video.
“Something said when you’re enjoying yourself to the point that time seems to slip away from you. And that’s exactly how the past 20 years of this sport has felt.
“The highs, the lows, making the USA national team and competing for our country, every risk was worth the reward.
“Finishing my career over the past five years of the best university in the world has been an incredible journey, and I’m forever grateful.
“Gymnastics, you have filled my heart and shaped be a part of me. You’ve shaped me into the person I am today, creating memories and sisterhoods that will last a life support. You are my first love.
“To my family, especially my parents. Thank you for everything, for supporting me through it all, and to my childhood coaches from New Jersey and the LSU coaching staff.
“Thank you for pushing me to be great. and yes, time did fly by, and I will cherish every memory for the rest of my life.
“Thank you for everything gymnastics. You were so good to me.”
The video didn’t just leave Dunne emotional, as her teammates flooded her comments to pay tribute to the social media star.
Haleigh Bryant commented, “Beyond proud of you, you deserve the world!! It has truly been an honor being your teammate these past 5 years!! Don’t forget about me.. I love you sm.”
Aleah Finnegan wrote, “I AM SOBBING… SO beyond proud of you and the impact you’ve had on my life. Love you so big”
It was only last year that Dunne showed off stunning progress between freshman year to now.
