“The game of basketball has been everything to me. My place of refuge, place i’ve always gone when i needed comfort and peace. It’s been the site of intense pain and the most intense feelings of joy and satisfaction. It’s a relationship that has evolved over time, given me the greatest respect and love for the game”(BrainyQuote).
Michael Jordan Biography
Michael Jeffery Jordan was born on February 17, 1963, in Brooklyn, New York and raised in the small town of Wilmington, North Carolina. His parents were James and Juanita Jordan. Michael had 4 other siblings, Larry, Roslyn, Deloris, and James Jr. His older brother Larry was always considered the athlete of the family when they were young. Michaels parents had no athleticism whatsoever but they always encouraged their children to participate in sports. Michael and his brother Larry always played and competed against each other as children(Michael Jordan). For Michaels 13th birthday his father put in a full-size backyard basketball court so him and his brother always had the opportunity to play and compete against each other. This is when Michael started to fall in love with the game of basketball. During Michaels sophomore year of highschool, he tried out for the varsity basketball team. He was rejected by his coach because he was considered too small and didn’t have the right body build for the game. In a way this helped Michael because it made him strive to get even better at the game. The next year he made the team as a junior. Michael also participated in football and track but he figured out that he should just stick with basketball. He stood out from everyone else at basketball. He was better. He just fit in with everybody in other sports.
Professional Career
Michael played for Tar Heels during College. Even though they didn’t win an NCAA Championship while he played for them, Michael did achieve becoming the premiere college player of the year. He was named an all American (Michael Jordan). He was also selected by the US sporting news as player of the year in 1983. Michael had the so called ability to fly. It amazed his fans and other players like him. His crazy dunks and defensive talent made him a target for NBA scouts. He was considered one of the most sought after college players by NBA scouts(Biography.com).
The Chicago Bulls had the 3rd pick in the 1985 NBA draft. They chose Michael. He was offered a multiyear contract and he accepted it. People had very high expectations for Michael during his rookie year (Audie Cornish). People had high hopes, not only just for Michael, but the Bulls as a team. He did everything but disappoint his fans during his rookie year. He was almost immediately an all star. He won the rookie of the year award and was chosen to be a starter during the 1984 all star game. He truly was becoming an emerging champion. The lessons his parents taught him as a child about working very hard to be the best at what he did definitely stuck with him. His entire basketball career was amazing. In 1984, Michael made his first appearance at the olympics as a member of the US olympic basketball team. The games were held in Los Angeles and his team brought home the gold medal that year. Michael later helped the American team bring home yet another gold medal at the 1992 games hosted in Barcelona, Spain.
Michael retired from the NBA after the 1997-1998 season to go play Baseball. All his fans and other players were shocked at this decision. However, Michael only played one year of baseball and it was for a Minor League team. His baseball career sadly came to an end when his father was shot and killed in an apartment robbery. 2 teens were burglarizing an apartment building and Michaels’ father just happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time. The 2 teens convicted of the crime were sentenced to life in prison.
Other Career Achievements
After the death of Michael’s father he soon got into restaurant and and other profitable businesses. He signed numerous endorsement deals with Nike, Hanes, Gatorade, upper decker, McDonalds, Coca-Cola, Chevrolet, and wheaties.
Michael opened his first restaurant in 1998. It was named Michael Jordan’s Steak House NYC. He designed it to reflect his tastes and styles. It can hold 150 people and 60 at the bar. It takes up an astonishing 7,000 square feet in the Grand central terminal.
After his baseball career, opening a restaurant, and signing numerous endorsements, Michael designed he wanted to play basketball again. In 2003 Michael played for the Washington Wizards before calling it quits for good in 2003. “I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over again in my career. And that is why I succeed”(BrainyQuote). Michael has proven himself over and over again as one of the greatest NBA to ever live.
As such a great player he always brought out the best in every team that he played for. His fans treated him as if he was some great rapper or movie star but he remained the kind hearted man that he always was. Michael’s legacy lives on to this day. He still influences so many young people. It is amazing.
