Sue Bird, the incredible basketball player, recently appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, where she discussed Caitlin Clark‘s impact on women’s basketball and her own documentary, Sue Bird: In the Clutch.
Fallon introduced Bird as “one of the coolest humans alive” and expressed his delight in having her on the show. He then proceeded to list some of Bird’s impressive achievements, including being a two-time NCAA champion, a four-time WNBA champion, a 13-time WNBA All-Star, and a five-time Olympic gold medalist. The audience erupted in cheers and applause, amazed by Bird’s incredible talent and success.
When asked if she had a favorite among her numerous accomplishments, Bird admitted that it was challenging to choose. She compared it to asking a parent to pick their favorite child, highlighting the significance of each achievement in her life.
However, with the Olympics approaching, Bird explained that making her first Olympic team held a special place in her heart. She mentioned how, growing up, there was no professional league for women’s basketball, making the Olympics her ultimate goal. Bird reminisced about the moment she returned from the Athens Olympics, wearing her gold medal in her carry-on. A flight attendant recognized her and asked if she had the medal with her. Soon, the entire plane wanted to touch and see the medal, highlighting the significance of the Olympics and the admiration people have for athletes like Bird.
Switching gears, Fallon expressed his gratitude for having Bird on International Women’s Day and praised her for bringing him a gift. Bird, along with other athletes, founded a media company called Togethxr, which aims to shine a light on women’s sports. She presented Fallon with a t-shirt from their company, cleverly designed as a response to those who claim that “nobody watches women’s sports.” Fallon and the audience cheered, acknowledging the growing support and viewership of women’s sports.
Fallon also couldn’t help but mention Caitlin Clark, a rising star in women’s basketball, and the excitement surrounding her performance. He mentioned a recent game where millions of people watched Clark break records, emphasizing the impact she has had on the sport.
Bird praised Clark’s skills and highlighted the increasing popularity of women’s basketball. She drew parallels between Clark’s dominance and the iconic Magic-Bird era in men’s basketball, defining it as a defining moment for women’s basketball. Bird specifically mentioned Clark’s “Logo 3’s,” referring to her impressive long-range shots that even drew the attention of skeptics who claimed women couldn’t dunk.
The conversation then turned to Bird’s own documentary, “Sue Bird: In the Clutch.” Fallon commended Bird for her achievements and for paving the way for other female athletes. Bird expressed her initial hesitation about having cameras follow her constantly, but ultimately felt it was necessary to share her story. She hoped that her documentary would open doors for other athletes’ stories as well.
Fallon playfully remarked that the documentary was supposed to cover Bird’s retirement. However, since she extended her career by another year, the documentary expanded as well. He praised the documentary for capturing significant moments of Bird’s life, suggesting that it would be the perfect response when people ask her about her favorite moments.
To highlight Bird’s clutch moments, Fallon brought up a shot she made in the 2001 Big East Championship game. Bird vividly recalled the pressure she felt after turning the ball over on the previous possession. Determined to redeem herself, she knew she had to make the shot. Fallon jokingly asked if Bird watched the clip, to which she humorously admitted that it was part of her nighttime routine.
The interview concluded with Fallon expressing his admiration for Bird and inviting her to return to the show anytime. He encouraged the audience to check out Bird’s documentary, “In the Clutch,” available on Apple TV and Amazon Prime Video starting March 29th.
Sue Bird‘s appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon showcased her incredible talent, discussed the rising popularity of women’s basketball, and celebrated her groundbreaking documentary.
