The legend Larry Bird is a former American professional basketball player, coach, and executive in the National Basketball Association. A baseless rumor circulated about Larry Bird. Let’s find out the truth.
Is Larry Bird Gay?
Sometimes, people assume a celebrity is gay for one reason or the other. The rumors spread like wildfire and sometimes ruin the celebrity’s trajectory or life. In Larry Bird’s case, all the claims about him being gay were just rumors. Maybe it was because he had stayed for so long without showing any signs of being in another relationship after divorcing his first wife in only a year.
Larry Bird has not been spotted with a male partner. Also, he has not been vocal about his sexual orientation, considering he has been happily married for so long. So, it is evident that Larry Bird is not gay. Here is more about Larry Bird, including his first failed relationship and his current love life to help clear the air.
Other Facts
Larry Bird’s Early Life and Education
The family of Georgia and Joseph Bird welcomed Larry Joe Bird to the crew on the 7th of December 1956. Even though Larry Bird was born in West Baden Springs, Indiana, he spent most of his time in French Lick, Indiana.
Larry Bird’s childhood involved a lot of sports, especially basketball. He was actively trying out different sports to determine his best fit.
While in French Lick, Larry Bird joined Springs Valley High School where he completely fell in love with basketball. He then decided to put all his focus on basketball as a competitive game compared to the rest of the games.
Larry Bird decided to join the basketball team of Springs Valley High School. Here, he thrived and helped the team win numerous games. His record within the team was impressive. He had an average of 21 rebounds and 31 points.
In 1974, Bird graduated successfully from high school and was in pursuit of a basketball career while continuing with his education. Therefore, he signed with Bob Knight to play for the Indiana Hoosiers. However, he dropped the contract after a month and travelled back to French Lick.
After getting back to French Lick, Larry spent time working as a garbage man. He wanted to make some money while he was not at school and according to him, he felt like he was into something fulfilling.
While in French Lick, Larry enrolled to a local college. Later, he signed with Sycamores while studying at Indiana State University. After playing for the Sycamores for three good years, Bird kept pushing the boundaries to attain more regarding his basketball career.
Larry Bird’s Career
While playing for Indiana State, Larry Bird developed a sharp rivalry with Michigan States player, Magic Johnson. Their rivalry redefined the basketball game with fans now standing on different sides of the picture and cheering on their side. Their competitive nature spread through to NBA (National Basketball Association) games.
Notably, Larry Bird was great at trash-talking in basketball. He had a fast brain that could come up with out of this world phrases to kill the opponent’s morale. His sharp tongue got him recognition and respect as one of the best in NBA’s history of trash-talkers.
Larry’s greatest and longest-lasting sign was with the Boston Celtics team. He was there for 13 years. While playing for the team, they won three championships. He also got several awards, including three MVP awards.
After retiring, Larry took the role of head coach from 1997 to 2000, training the Indiana Pacers. During this period, he got the award of NBA Coach of the Year. Moreover, he also held the position of Pacer’s president from the year 2003 to 2012. He is currently one of the NBA’s executives.
Breakdown of Larry Bird’s Achievements
Larry Bird is in league with all-time best basket players like Paul Gasol, Michael Jordan and more. He went by the nickname “the Hick from French Lick” and people loved him for what he did in and outside the pitch. He is one of the greatest and most memorable players and the achievements below prove that he deserves the title:
- 1979-80: NBA Rookie of the Year and All-Rookie First Team.
- 1980: NBA All-Star Game and All-NBA Second Team.
- 1981: NBA Championship.
- 1982: NBA All-Star Game, All-NBA First Team, and All-Defensive Second Team.
- 1983: NBA All-Star Game, All-NBA First Team, and All-Defensive Second Team.
- 1984: NBA Championship, NBA Most Valuable Player Award, NBA Finals MVP, All-Star Game MVP, All-NBA First Team, and All-Defensive Second Team.
- 1985: NBA Most Valuable Player Award, All-Star Game MVP, All-NBA First Team, and All-Defensive Second Team.
- 1986: NBA Championship, NBA Most Valuable Player Award, NBA Finals MVP, All-Star Game MVP, All-NBA First Team, and All-Defensive Second Team.
- 1987: NBA All-Star Game and All-NBA Second Team.
- 1988: NBA All-Star Game and All-NBA Second Team.
- 1992: Olympic Gold Medal.
- 1998: NBA Coach of the Year.
- 2012: NBA Executive of the Year.
Larry Bird’s Relationships
Larry Bird’s love life spans two relationships. His first wife was Janet Condra. They got married in the year 1975 but ended up divorcing in 1976. Despite the relationship lasting for only a year, they were blessed with a daughter, Corrie.
It was not until 1989 that Larry Bird married his university sweetheart, Dinah Mattingly. The two attended Indiana State University and fell in love while taking their respective courses.
The couple organized a private wedding ceremony in their friend’s residence within Terre Haute, Indiana. Their relationship has lasted for three decades with the two love birds bringing up three kids: Connor, Mariah, and Corrie, from the previous relationship.
Dinah Mattingly has always been a supportive wife throughout Larry Bird’s career. Also, despite being the wife of a legend basketball player, Dinah rarely steps into the limelight. She is more of a private person, choosing to keep to herself and nurture a beautiful family alongside Larry.
Conclusion
Despite the rumors going round about Larry Bird being gay, it is vivid from his love life and career that he is not gay. Yes, he did get into a relationship that only lasted for a year and took like a decade to get into another. But that does not mean he is gay. Moreover, he has never been seen with a male partner.
