If you are a fan of basketball, you might have wondered if two of the most famous players in the sport, Larry Bird and Sue Bird, are related. They share the same last name, they both played for teams with green jerseys, and they both have impressive records and achievements. But are they really family? The answer is no. Here’s why.
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The Birds Are Not Blood Relatives
According to Field Insider, Larry Bird and Sue Bird are not related. They are however two of the most famous basketball players in history. Larry is a legend who played for the Boston Celtics from 1979 to 1992, while Sue is one of the most polarizing female professional players to play in the WNBA.
Larry Bird was born in West Baden Springs, Indiana, and grew up in nearby French Lick. He has four siblings: Mike, Mark, Jeff, and Eddie. He married Janet Condra in 1975 and had a daughter named Corrie. They divorced in 1976 and he married Dinah Mattingly in 1989. They adopted two children named Connor and Mariah.
Sue Bird was born in Syosset, New York, and grew up in Syosset and Nesconset. She has one sibling: a sister named Jen. She is engaged to American professional soccer player Megan Rapinoe, who is also an activist for equal rights.
The Birds Have Different Basketball Careers
Larry Bird and Sue Bird have both achieved remarkable success in their basketball careers, but they have different paths and styles.
Larry Bird was drafted by the Boston Celtics as the sixth overall pick in the 1978 NBA draft. He played for the Celtics for his entire career, winning three NBA championships, three NBA Most Valuable Player awards, two NBA Finals MVP awards, 12 NBA All-Star selections, and 10 All-NBA First Team honors. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time and one of the best shooters and passers ever. He retired in 1992 due to chronic back problems and became a coach and executive for the Indiana Pacers.
Sue Bird was drafted by the Seattle Storm as the first overall pick in the 2002 WNBA draft. She has played for the Storm for her entire career, winning four WNBA championships, one WNBA Finals MVP award, 12 WNBA All-Star selections, five All-WNBA First Team honors, and four Olympic gold medals with Team USA. She is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time and one of the best point guards ever. She retired at the end of the 2022 season and became a broadcaster and analyst for ESPN.
The Birds Have Different Connections to New Harmony
One interesting connection between Larry Bird and Sue Bird is that they both have ties to New Harmony, Indiana. According to BasketballPulse.com, Larry Bird’s ancestors were among the original settlers of New Harmony, a utopian community founded by German immigrants in 1814. His great-great-great-grandfather was John Lenz, who was a leader of the Harmonists, a religious group that practiced celibacy and communal living.
Sue Bird’s connection to New Harmony is more recent and less direct. In 2018, she participated in a documentary film called “New Harmony: The Search for Utopia”, which explored the history and legacy of the town. She visited New Harmony with her fiancée Megan Rapinoe and met with some of the residents and descendants of the Harmonists.
Conclusion
Larry Bird and Sue Bird are not related by blood or marriage, but they are both basketball legends who have inspired generations of fans with their skills and achievements. They also share a common interest in New Harmony, Indiana, a town that has a rich and fascinating history of utopian experiments. While they may not be family, they are certainly worthy of respect and admiration..
