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WNBA legend Sue Bird comes out, reveals relationship with soccer star Rapinoe

REUTERS/Sergio Moraes / Action Images

Sue Bird has done just about all there is to do as a basketball player. She's won titles in college, the WNBA, Euroleague, and the Olympics, cementing a legacy that places her among the best to ever take the hardcourt, a surefire first-ballot Hall of Famer when the time comes.

And now, the Bird can be herself off the court, too.

The Seattle Storm superstar acknowledged that she is gay in a profile by ESPNW's Mechelle Voepel. In fact, Bird has been in a relationship with U.S. National Team soccer player Megan Rapinoe, an Olympic gold medalist and superstar in her own right, since last year.

"I'm gay. Megan's my girlfriend," Bird said in the profile. "These aren't secrets to people who know me. I don't feel like I've not lived my life. I think people have this assumption that if you're not talking about it, you must be hiding it, like it's this secret. That was never the case for me."

While Bird has been out to her personal circle of friends, family, and colleagues for well over a decade, this is first time in her long and distinguished career that she's publicly revealed these personal details. As for deciding to come out on a grander scale at age 36, it was simply the right time for the two-time WNBA champion.

"It's happening when it's happening because that's what feels right. So even though I understand there are people who think I should have done it sooner, it wasn't right for me at the time. I have to be true to that. It's my journey."

As for the next chapter in her basketball life, it's back to the hardcourt. Bird was named to the WNBA All-Star team for a record-tying 10th time and will start for the Western Conference team in the star-studded exhibition on Saturday night, fittingly in front of her local supporters in Seattle.

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