Larry Bird Angered by Tattooed Portrayal on Indiana Mural

Larry Bird is a legend in his home state of Indiana.

But the former Boston Celtics star isn't happy with how that legend is depicted -- particularly in the state's capital.

According to The Indianapolis Star, Bird recently spotted a mural on a building in Indianapolis' Fountain Square that recreates his iconic 1977 Sports Illustrated cover photo from his Indiana State days, with one twist: He's covered in tattoos.

Bird -- who's tattoo-free -- apparently was not a fan of his mural's tattoos and requested his attorney take action to get them removed.

"Larry's position is he has elevated himself from where he began to where he is now through a lot of hard work," Bird's lawyer, Gary Sallee, told the Star. "He has developed a brand that is marketable and he needs to protect that brand. The mural, as originally painted, was a departure from that brand."

That has led to a back-and-forth between Bird's camp and the mural's artist, Jules Muck, who told the Star she "just wanted to have a little fun" with the painting.

It appears both sides have reached a compromise, though, with Muck agreeing to remove all of the tattoos from the painting except the "INDIANA" on Bird's left arm.

"She thought the tattooed Larry had value to Larry and his fans," Sallee added. "She understood why Larry didn't think that."

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