Michael Jordan has had big endorsements in the past, but he was perhaps most proud of the National Guard.
The Bulls legend has achieved what NBA players dream of doing in their career. Six championships, six Finals MVPs, five NBA MVPs, an obvious induction into the Hall of Fame and much more have cemented Jordan’s legacy as the greatest NBA player of all time.
So why was his career so confusing? Well, she’s retired three times in his career, to give you some context. If that sounds weird to you, that’s because it is. His first retirement was by far the most surprising as it came only nine years into his career, and he had just started winning at the highest level, coming off his first three-time championship.
Michael Jordan’s playoff run in 1993
• 1st round: 34.3p, 6.7r, 4.3a, 1.7s
• 2nd round: 31.0p, 5.0r, 5.3a, 2.3s
• 3rd round: 32.2p, 6.2r, 7.0a, 2.5s
• NBA Finals: 41.0p, 8.5r, 6.3a, 1.7s pic.twitter.com/kd0QWH4tEE
— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) June 2, 2019
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Michael Jordan joined the National Guard with a sponsorship once
During ‘The Last Dance,’ we got a little deeper insight into Michael Jordan’s life and more personal struggles.
One thing that did come up was his reluctance to be a political activist or public figure outside of his basketball career.
The biggest point that came up was during episode five of the documentary where it was revealed that Jordan did not support Democrat Harvey Gant against Republican Jesse Helms.
Gant was seeking to become the first African-American senator from the South and hoped that Jordan would endorse him. Instead, Jordan once said, “Republicans buy sneakers, too.”
He has clarified that comment now.
“I don’t think it’s necessary to correct that statement because I said it jokingly on a bus with Horatio Grant Y scottie pippenJordan explained. “It was pulled by the sleeve. My mom asked to do a public service announcement for Harvey Gantt and I said, ‘Look, Mom, I’m not talking about someone I don’t know. But I will send a contribution to support it.’ What did I do.
It also appears that Jordan has found another way to show his American and Democratic pride. In 2010, Jordan was sworn in as an honorary member of the National Guard.
The National Guard was sponsoring two cyclists from Jordan’s motorsports team.
“I am so proud that the National Guard has chosen us to show what they stand for,” an emotional Jordan said during the American Motorcyclist Association Superbike class. “Every time we step onto the track, we know your hard work, dedication and support and everything is on track with us. We want to represent that to the best of our abilities.”
“I have a brother who has been in the service for 31 years and represents more than what I have done on the basketball court,” he added. “He is really my hero. He tells me many stories of what he endured and some of the things that all of you face and it makes me so proud to know what you stand for and that you take care of us.”
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