Sue Bird is one of the most accomplished basketball players of all time. She has won four WNBA championships, five Olympic gold medals, four FIBA World Cups, and two NCAA titles. She is also the WNBA’s all-time leader in assists and games played. With such a stellar resume, it’s no wonder that many people wonder if she has any connection to another basketball legend: Larry Bird.
Larry Bird is widely regarded as one of the greatest NBA players ever. He played for the Boston Celtics from 1979 to 1992, winning three championships, three MVP awards, and two Finals MVP awards. He was also a 12-time All-Star, a 10-time All-NBA selection, and a three-time All-Defensive team member. He is currently the president of basketball operations for the Indiana Pacers.
The Answer: No, They Are Not Related
Despite sharing the same last name and a passion for basketball, Sue Bird and Larry Bird are not related by blood or marriage. They have never met in person, and they have different backgrounds and origins.
Sue Bird was born in Syosset, New York, to Herschel and Nancy Bird. Her father is an Israeli-born Russian Jew who immigrated to the United States when he was a child. Her mother is an American-born Christian of Italian descent. Sue has one older sister named Jen.
Larry Bird was born in West Baden Springs, Indiana, to Georgia and Claude Joseph “Joe” Bird. His father was a veteran of the Korean War who worked as a construction worker and a factory worker. His mother was a waitress who raised six children. Larry has five siblings: Mike, Mark, Jeff, Eddie, and Linda.
The Rumor: Sue Bird Used to Pretend She Was Larry Bird’s Niece
Although Sue Bird and Larry Bird are not related, there was a time when Sue Bird used to lie about being Larry Bird’s niece. In an interview with Insider in 2020, Sue Bird revealed that she used to make up stories about being related to Larry Bird when she was younger.
“I used to tell people he was my uncle,” Sue Bird said. “I don’t know why I did that. Probably because I thought it was cool.”
Sue Bird said she stopped lying about her relation to Larry Bird when she realized that people could easily find out the truth.
“I think I got caught one time,” she said.”Somebody was like, ‘Oh really? What’s his wife’s name?’ And I was like, ‘Uh …’ And then I just stopped.”
The Fact: Sue Bird Is Engaged to Megan Rapinoe
Sue Bird might not be related to Larry Bird, but she will be related to another world-class athlete through marriage soon. Sue Bird is engaged to Megan Rapinoe, a professional soccer player who plays for the U.S. women’s national team and OL Reign in the National Women’s Soccer League.
Megan Rapinoe is also a decorated athlete who has won two FIFA Women’s World Cups, two Olympic gold medals, and one Ballon d’Or Féminin. She is also an outspoken activist for equal rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and social justice.
Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe met at a media summit in 2015 before the Rio Olympics. They started dating in 2016 and got engaged in October 2020. They are one of the most famous and influential sports couples in the world.
The Conclusion: Sue Bird and Larry Bird Are Both Basketball Legends
Sue Bird and Larry Bird may not share any family ties, but they do share a lot of respect and admiration for each other’s achievements on the court. They are both basketball legends who have inspired generations of fans and players with their skills, leadership, and legacy.
According to Dunk or Three, Sue Bird once said that she grew up watching Larry Bird play and that he was one of her favorite players.
“He was just so smart,” she said. “He always made the right play. He always made his teammates better.”
Larry Bird has also praised Sue Bird for her accomplishments and longevity in the game.
“She’s just unbelievable,” he said in 2018. “She’s one of the best players ever.”
So, while Sue Bird and Larry Bird aren’t related by blood or marriage, there is something in both of their DNA that is very familiar: a love for basketball and a drive to excel. That’s what makes them both Birds of a feather..
