Tyrese Haliburton and other leap-year babies in sports

For 99.9% of the world's population, Feb. 29 represents the "extra day" they ought to make the most of. However, to about five million people, it's the birthday they've been waiting four years for. Pacers All-Star Tyrese Haliburton is among those leap-year babies who will celebrate his birthday on Thursday for the first time since entering the NBA in late 2020.

When Haliburton celebrated his last birthday on Feb. 29, 2020, he was 20 days removed from suffering a wrist injury that ended his sophomore season at Iowa State. Haliburton was admittedly disheartened as he felt his NBA Draft stock had plummeted.

"The last time it was my birthday, I was in college, broke my wrist, never thought I would be here [in an All-Star game]," Haliburton told The Athletic last week. "I knew that at that time, once my wrist was broken, I was gonna go to the NBA, but never thought I would have the success I'm having. So, as you sit back and reflect, it's really special, and I don’t take this life for granted."

Haliburton isn't the only notable leap-year athlete. Former Minnesota Vikings (and current Los Angeles Chargers) linebacker Eric Kendricks was born on Feb. 29, 1992. During the Vikings' training camp in 2022, Kendricks was asked if he observes his birthday on Feb. 28 or waits every four years to celebrate.

"Parts of my family would [wish me] on Feb. 28 or March 1," Kendricks said. "But, because my birthday is so unique, people would just keep wishing me over a two-week span."

Kendricks likes to "go hard on that actual leap year day" due to the excruciating four-year wait.

The sport of soccer has several active leap-year babies such as Barcelona winger Ferran Torres, Danish midfielder Jesper Lindstrom and French midfielder Saphir Taider.

The list of retired leap-year babies includes former Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Cam Ward, MLS star-turned-analyst Taylor Twellman, former Cavaliers forward Chucky Brown and former Warriors guard Vonteego Cummings. Benedikt Howedes, who played a key role in Germany winning the 2014 FIFA World Cup, and former Manchester United goalkeeper Mike Pollitt were also born on Feb. 29.