Larry Bird’s Reaction To His Famous 1985 Bar Fight Resurfaces: “I Like To Drink Beer And Go Out”

Larry Bird’s Reaction To His Famous 1985 Bar Fight Resurfaces: “I Like To Drink Beer And Go Out”

Explore the untold story of Larry Bird’s 1985 bar fight, a revealing tale of humanity and resilience.

In 1985, Larry Bird’s involvement in a bar fight during the Eastern Conference Finals tarnished his reputation, revealing his fallibility. Despite the controversy, Bird’s vulnerability emerged, highlighting his enjoyment of life’s pleasures. The altercation at Chelsea’s bar in Quincy Market involved Larry Bird and bartender-bouncer Michael Harlow.

“He sucker punched me in the jaw.”

“There was a noise and a scuffle as they came across the street. Then Larry Bird went ‘boom,’ a nice swoop over the top with his right hand to the left side of the face,” an unnamed witness told the Globe.

Witnesses described Bird delivering a swift punch to Harlow’s jaw, sparking a media-covered scuffle. Harlow himself alleged Bird had sucker-punched him, adding fuel to the controversy.

“The one good thing about all this is that maybe people finally understand that I’m human. I make mistakes; I’ve made a lot of mistakes. I like to drink beer and go out and have a good time – I’m human.”

Remarkably, amidst the fallout from the bar fight, Bird offered a candid reflection on the incident, acknowledging his imperfections and embracing his humanity. He candidly admitted to enjoying life’s simple pleasures, including drinking beer and going out to have a good time.

In the aftermath of the incident, Bird faced legal ramifications, including a lawsuit from Harlow and an unidentified woman. However, Bird chose to resolve the matter through an out-of-court settlement, accepting responsibility for his actions while attempting to move forward from the ordeal.

After Bird injured his finger in the fight during the Eastern Conference finals against the Sixers. Despite the injury, he taped up his hand and won $160 in a free-throw shooting contest with his hand taped up, playing the next night with the money in his shoe. This display of skill and determination showcased Bird’s competitive spirit and his ability to rise above adversity on and off the court.

Despite Bird’s efforts to downplay the incident, its impact on his performance during the playoffs was evident. Prior to the altercation, Bird had been averaging nearly 30 points per game, a testament to his unrivaled skill and competitive spirit. However, following the altercation, his numbers dipped significantly, underscoring the toll that the off-court incident had taken on him. His points per game dropped to 22.2, showcasing a noticeable difference in his performance.