The night Larry Bird smashed his face, then the Pacers (1991 Game 5)

[steve]

Bird suffered a fractured cheekbone when he bounced his head off the floor. Bird was watching the game on closed circuit TV while pedaling a stationary bike. He came back to the game on his own without consulting the medical staff. That's a man who wanted to win! As Magic said during Bird's retirement ceremony, "There will never be another Larry Bird." Truth!

[sumandsubstance]

This is the true definition of a LEADER

[Skindoggiedog]

Fractured his cheekbone, plus concussion.
This man wanted to win.
Saw his father go to work with swollen, broken feet.
Respect him.

[mikemontgomery]

I actually had a year watching this game. I was 25 and I knew I was seeing the greatest heart I'd ever seen and it was the end of his career.

[BGK]

I was at the game - nobody expected him back - he had been nursing a back injury already. When he peeled off his sweats, it was like superman changing. Never have i seen a place erupt like that!

[powerboatguy]

Back problems were not going to overcome his urge to go light up Chuck Person.

[steveholmes]

No other basketball player would have come back from that except Larry Legend. Knocked out, concussion, possible facial fracture. After Bird recovered he was on a stationary bike watching the game. He knew if he didn't return, Boston was done. On his own, without consulting the team doctor, he took it upon himself to go back in the game. He received a heroes welcome as he came out on the floor and the rest is history.

[marcosc]

I never liked bird because I was a magic Johnson fan. But this guy was an incredible player. Bird in the series was already in his final great moments. I wanted him to win. That’s how much of a warrior and great player he was.

[mattlayton]

This is emotional. This was one of Larry's last hurrah's of his career. I was 10 when this series happened, Larry was my guy from the time I was 5.

[chinesejohn]

In high school anatomy class we learned zygomatic arch but Larry learned that word after the diagnosis…..he said he never heard it before…..I like watching him in 1981 when he was healthy

[NerdLantern]

I remember watching this it was incredible

[tooBlessed]

Back when basketball was a man's sport: real tough physical contact and no whining and or flopping around. I remember watching that wipe out and really feeling bad for Bird, that man's bones must be made of titanium and the trainer was more concern about Bird catching an elbow instead of the ricocheted (face bounce like a basketball) wipe out.

[yeshuatimothy]

The greatest small forward of all time.. Larry "the hick of French lick" Bird..

[mr.sinjin-smyth]

Larry Bird... the ultimate wounded warrior and blue collar showman.

[Nilerush_fj]

So many players would cry if Chuck Person was guarding them today

[MJGOAT]

Had he not hurt his back I guarantee he would be the greatest player ever by far

[jordansoviet]

You don't see this kind of warrior mindset anymore today.

The game today is simply unwatchable as a hardcore old school defense fan that I am. I can also sense this same sentiment to many of the older fans, except bronsexuals among us old school basketball fans.

[shimotsukiryuma]

If lebron broke his own face he be crying atleast 40 yrs to his career

[stumpnugz]

Was not expecting to see Larry bird when I clicked. What a pleasant surprise.

[bryanburnap]

I was 17 - a senior in high school and Larry Bird and the Celtics were my life !! I had a dishwashing job at a country club at 3. Well when Larry went down I took the phone off the hook and lied to my parents about having to go to work. Well anyways I lost that job but Larry came back and it was a great day to be a Celtics fan !! I got a new job at a hardware store 1 month later:)