Bird (Larry Joe) is born in West Baden, Indiana.

The son of Joe and Georgia Bird, Larry Bird grows up in French Lick, attends the University of Indian, and Indiana State University, moves to Brookline, and plays his first game for Boston Celtics in October 1979.* He goes on to become one of the greatest players in NBA history and one of the most popular athletes in Boston history. With the rest of the “Big Three,” which include Kevin McHale and Robert Parrish, he leads the team to three NBA championships. Bird retires as a player in 1992, and subsequently becomes coach and then president of the Indiana Pacers.