Larry Bird retired from professional basketball after returning to the United States from his success with Team USA at the Barcelona Olympics. Bird had played in 45 games during the 1991-92 season but had suffered back issues throughout the season.
Had the legendary Boston Celtics forward delayed his decision to retire until the start of the 1992-93 season, Bird would have been entitled to his most recent contract extension, which would have paid him roughly $5 million per year for two seasons. Yet, despite Dave Gavitt trying to coax Bird into delaying his decision, the Celtics legend refused to pick up a cheque for work he hadn’t produced.
“I know what you are doing,” Bird said, as written in Jackie MacMullen’s book, “and I don’t want the money. I didn’t earn it, and I won’t take it. Let’s just get this over with.”
As such, Bird called time on his 13-year tenure with the Celtics, ending his career with three championship rings, 12 All-Star selections, and an Olympic gold medal. To this day, Bird is seen as one of the most iconic Celtics players of all time.
His decision to forgo over $10 million shows how much the franchise meant to him and why he will always be a legend in the TD Garden and the city of Boston.
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