You have legends like Michael Jordan, Paul Gasol, and more in the basketballers’ Hall of Fame. Larry Bird, nicknamed “the Hick from French Lick”, is one memorable player on this list, considered one of the greatest basketball players ever. Such titles take work. He is the only player in the league’s history named Rookie of the Year, Most Valuable Player, Finals MVP, All-Star MVP, Coach of the Year, and Executive of the Year. His sexuality, however, has been marred with controversy recently with rumours of being gay. So, is Larry gay?
Misconceptions about sexual preference among famous personalities aren’t foreign. Some celebrities are marred with confusion during their entire career. Absolving the rumours is the most challenging part. However, today, you will know the truth about Larry Bird’s sexual orientation. What is the basketballer’s sexual orientation?
No one knew the thoughts swirling in Larry Bird‘s head the summer of 1992. Bird was in Barcelona, Spain, on a court battling Croatia in the gold medal basketball game of the Olympics – and he had a secret.
Bird was a member of the USA’s star-laced Dream Team, but he wasn’t there as some token player. He was not some perfunctory add to the roster.
Bird was a member of the USA’s star-laced Dream Team, but he wasn’t there as some token player. He was not some perfunctory add to the roster.
If he had been anyone other than Larry Bird, he might not even have been on that team at all and, if he were, maybe as a backup.
Bird was 35. He had played 13 seasons at full throttle in the NBA and back injuries were plaguing him.
Without Bird, that Dream Team had colossal talent: Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, David Robinson, Scottie Pippen, John Stockton, Karl Malone, Clyde Drexler, Patrick Ewing and Charles Barkley.
But as the USA trounced Croatia 177-85 for the gold medal Aug. 8, 1992, Bird wasn’t just a role player. He was a contributor, an important contributor. Against Germany in the USA’s third game, Bird led the American team with 19 points – and he did it with that secret looming in his head.
And yet 10 days later, 10 days after Bird reveled in the gold, he retired from basketball.
The secret was out. He no longer could play the game he loved at the level he wanted to play.
Fans grieved at the news of Bird’s retirement Aug. 18, 1992.
