logo
HomeCelebrity
Larry Bird | Dinah Mattingly, her husband Larry Bird carrying their adopted son Connor Bird. | Source: Getty Images
Larry Bird | Dinah Mattingly, her husband Larry Bird carrying their adopted son Connor Bird. | Source: Getty Images

Connor Bird Was Arrested in 2013 - More about the Life of Larry Bird’s Son

Christell Fatima M. Tudtud
Sep 28, 2022
12:45 P.M.

Connor Bird is the son of basketball legend Larry Bird, widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in sports history. Connor is rarely seen in public, but he once made headlines that changed the course of his life.

Advertisement

Connor Bird grew up with the opportunity to discover what life has to offer. He was an orphan who was adopted by Larry Bird, one of the most successful basketball players in the United States.

Unfortunately, Connor broke the law at some point during his adolescent years. He had one of his most public run-ins with the law nearly a decade ago.

Larry Bird of the Boston Celtics watches the team's game against the Washington Bullets at the Capital Centre on January 12, 1991, in Landover, Maryland. | Source: Getty Images

Larry Bird of the Boston Celtics watches the team's game against the Washington Bullets at the Capital Centre on January 12, 1991, in Landover, Maryland. | Source: Getty Images

Connor Bird Is Larry Bird's Adopted Son

Larry Bird, born on December 7, 1956, in West Baden, Indiana, became a prominent figure in the National Basketball Association (NBA), where he became a player, coach, and executive.

After graduating from Springs Valley High School, Larry received a prestigious scholarship to attend Indiana State University due to his impressive basketball prowess.

Advertisement

However, Larry found adjusting to university life hard. He returned to his hometown just before the basketball practice began, enrolled in a local junior college but dropped out, and worked odd jobs.

Larry Bird coaches on Indiana Pacers against New Jersey Nets at Market Square Arena in Indianapolis, Indiana, on March 8, 1998. | Source: Getty Images

Larry Bird coaches on Indiana Pacers against New Jersey Nets at Market Square Arena in Indianapolis, Indiana, on March 8, 1998. | Source: Getty Images

In 1975, Larry returned to the university, where he continued his education and basketball career. He also met a woman who would become his future wife, Dinah Mattingly.

The couple got engaged in 1987 and married in 1989. Unable to have a child of their own, Dinah and Larry adopted Connor and treated him as their real son.

Larry Bird carries their son Connor as he stands beside his wife Dinah at the Boston Garden on February 4, 1993, in Boston, Massachusetts. | Source: Getty Images

Larry Bird carries their son Connor as he stands beside his wife Dinah at the Boston Garden on February 4, 1993, in Boston, Massachusetts. | Source: Getty Images

Advertisement

Connor was reportedly born between 1991 and 1992, but Larry rarely speaks publicly about him. He attended Indiana State University, where his father studied and started his prosperous sports career.

Larry became one of the NBA's Top 50 players in 1996, and in 1998, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Despite his successes, his child's wrongdoing would tarnish his reputation.

Dinah Mattingly and Larry Bird pose with the Lifetime Achievement award during the 2019 NBA Awards on June 24, 2019, in Santa Monica, California. | Source: Getty Images

Dinah Mattingly and Larry Bird pose with the Lifetime Achievement award during the 2019 NBA Awards on June 24, 2019, in Santa Monica, California. | Source: Getty Images

Connor Bird Was Arrested and Jailed for 12 Months

In 2013, Connor, then 21, was reportedly arrested by the police on the Indiana State Campus after allegedly assaulting his girlfriend and attempting to hit her with his car.

Advertisement

The incident occurred after the couple fought in Connor's apartment. The drama between Connor and his girlfriend continued in the car going to a stadium.

To avoid another argument, the woman got out of Connor's car and decided to walk home. Instead of leaving her alone, the woman claimed that he drove and chased her in the parking lot.

The woman also said Connor attempted to run her over with his car. She added that another person in the parking lot helped her report the incident to the police officer.

Advertisement

Even though Larry is renowned for his athleticism, Connor is unlikely to achieve the same success as his father.

Campus police quickly arrested Larry's son and reportedly charged him on multiple charges, including battery resulting in injury, criminal mischief, intimidation with a deadly weapon, and possession of prohibited drugs.

Meanwhile, an Indianapolis lawyer representing Larry's son, John L. Tompkins, opted not to comment on the allegations of substance abuse against his client. The lawyer added:

Advertisement

"This is a very private matter that we're going to try to resolve quickly. We're thankful that no one was seriously injured."

However, there were no formal charges filed against Connor. In April 2014, he pled guilty to a charge of misdemeanor criminal recklessness. Connor was no stranger to violating laws; in 2011, police arrested him for underage drinking and disorderly conduct.

Connor Bird's Sisters

Advertisement

It is unknown if Connor has any biological siblings, but he does have an adopted sister. It has also been reported that Larry has a daughter named Corrie from his first marriage.

Larry shares Corrie with his ex-wife Janet Condra, with whom he tied the knot in 1976. Before Corrie was born on August 14, 1977, her parents had already split up after less than a year of marriage.

Before Janet gave birth, Larry denied having sired with her and refused to take up any parental responsibilities. As a result of her parents' divorce, Corrie was raised alone by her mother until the latter remarried. Larry and Corrie are reportedly not in contact.

Larry Bird at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame 2018 Enshrinement Ceremony on September 7, 2018, in Springfield, Massachusetts. | Source: Getty Images

Larry Bird at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame 2018 Enshrinement Ceremony on September 7, 2018, in Springfield, Massachusetts. | Source: Getty Images

When she was 15 years old, Corrie asked her father if she could go to Boston for his retirement party. However, she claimed that she heard nothing back.

Advertisement

In 1998, Corrie reportedly appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show and spoke of her non-existent relationship with her father. A young Corrie expressed hope that her dad could come back into her life.

She said when she was younger, she would write her dad letters, and her mom would send him school pictures and report cards. Corrie tied the knot with her long-time boyfriend, Trent Theopolis Batson, on May 17, 2008.

With Trent's two children from a previous marriage, the couple has four children. Meanwhile, Connor's other sister Mariah is Larry and Dinah's adopted daughter. The couple adopted her on October 31, 1989.

Advertisement

She reportedly worked as a professional events manager and was employed at Pacers Sports & Entertainment. She served as a cheerleader in high school. After completing her high school education, she was accepted to Boston University.

She also attended Indiana University Bloomington, earning a bachelor's degree in science and recreation. Mariah is a private person who has not disclosed details about her personal life, including whether or not she is married.

Dinah Mattingly and her husband Larry Bird walk together with their daughter Mariah Bird to the "Late Show With David Letterman" taping on April 11, 2012, in New York City. | Source: Getty Images

Dinah Mattingly and her husband Larry Bird walk together with their daughter Mariah Bird to the "Late Show With David Letterman" taping on April 11, 2012, in New York City. | Source: Getty Images

Larry, like Michael Jordan, is one of the most unforgettable NBA players. Even though Larry is renowned for his athleticism, Connor is unlikely to achieve the same success as his father.

Connor is no longer in the public eye as a consequence of his unlawful behavior in the past. What he does for a living and whether he is in a committed relationship are also unknown.

Advertisement
Advertisement
info

news.AmoMama.com does not support or promote any kind of violence, self-harm, or abusive behavior. We raise awareness about these issues to help potential victims seek professional counseling and prevent anyone from getting hurt. news.AmoMama.com speaks out against the above mentioned and news.AmoMama.com advocates for a healthy discussion about the instances of violence, abuse, sexual misconduct, animal cruelty, abuse etc. that benefits the victims. We also encourage everyone to report any crime incident they witness as soon as possible.

Related posts