Larry Bird is one of the most celebrated basketball players of all time. He played for the Boston Celtics from 1979 to 1992, winning three NBA championships, three MVP awards, and two Finals MVP awards. He is also the only person in NBA history to be named Rookie of the Year, Most Valuable Player, Finals MVP, All-Star MVP, Coach of the Year, and Executive of the Year. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest shooters and clutch performers in the history of the game.
But despite his fame and achievements, there have been some rumors and speculations about his sexuality. Is Larry Bird gay? What is the source of these rumors? And what is the truth behind his personal life? In this article, we will try to answer these questions and reveal the real story of Larry Bird’s sexuality.
The Sue Bird Connection
One of the main reasons why some people might think that Larry Bird is gay is because of his last name. There is another famous basketball player named Sue Bird, who plays in the WNBA and is openly lesbian. She has been in a relationship with Megan Rapinoe, a soccer star and activist, since 2016.
Some people might assume that Larry and Sue are related, and that they share the same sexual orientation. However, this is not the case. Larry and Sue are not related at all, despite having the same last name. They have never met each other, and they have different ethnic backgrounds. Larry is of Irish, Scottish, and Native American descent, while Sue is of Russian and Israeli descent.
According to Sue Bird, she has been asked many times if she is related to Larry Bird, and she always denies it. She also said that she admires Larry as a basketball player, but she does not know him personally. She also joked that she would like to meet him someday and take a picture with him, just to confuse people even more.
The Magic Johnson Rivalry
Another possible source of the rumors about Larry Bird’s sexuality is his famous rivalry with Magic Johnson. The two players were the stars of their respective teams, the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers, and they faced each other in three NBA Finals in the 1980s. Their rivalry was intense, but also respectful and friendly.
However, some people might have misinterpreted their relationship as something more than a rivalry. This might have been fueled by the fact that Magic Johnson revealed that he was HIV-positive in 1991, and that he had contracted the virus from having multiple sexual partners, including women and men. This shocked the sports world, and raised questions about the sexuality of other NBA players, especially those who were close to Magic.
Larry Bird was one of the first people to support Magic Johnson after his announcement. He called him and expressed his sympathy and admiration. He also said that he considered Magic as a friend, and that he hoped that he would overcome his illness. He also participated in a charity game organized by Magic in 1992, along with other NBA stars.
However, Larry Bird’s support for Magic Johnson does not mean that he is gay. It only means that he is a compassionate and loyal person, who respects his rival and friend. Larry Bird has never said or done anything that would suggest that he is gay, and there is no evidence to support such a claim.
The Truth About Larry Bird’s Sexuality
The truth is that Larry Bird is not gay. He is heterosexual, and he has been married twice. His first marriage was with his high school sweetheart, Janet Condra, in 1975. They had a daughter named Corrie, who was born in 1977. However, their marriage did not last long, and they divorced in 1976.
Larry Bird’s second marriage was with Dinah Mattingly, whom he met at Indiana State University. They got married in 1989, and they adopted two children, a son named Connor and a daughter named Mariah. They are still together, and they live in Naples, Florida.
Larry Bird has always been a private person, who does not like to talk much about his personal life. He prefers to focus on his basketball career, and his achievements as a player, coach, and executive. He is one of the greatest legends of the NBA, and his sexuality has nothing to do with his legacy. He is not gay, and he is happy with his family.