Who Was Michael Jordan?s Father? What Was His Father?s Impact on the Hall of Famer?

NBA legend Michael Jordan is one of the five children of Deloris and James R. Jordan Sr. The Chicago Bulls legend’s parents played a huge role in his development and future success in the NBA. Notably, Deloris was reportedly the reason behind MJ’s iconic partnership with Nike. On the other hand, Jordan Sr. had a tremendous impact as well. Even the six-time NBA champion’s practice of sticking his tongue out while performing unreal moves was from his father. Jordan Sr. once revealed that he used to stick his tongue out as well when he was focusing on his work.

Who was Michael Jordan?s Father?

The father of former basketball player Michael Jordan, James R. Jordan Sr. was a veteran who joined the Air Force after graduating from high school and marrying Deloris Jordan. He then left the Air Force and worked in a textile mill. Jordan Sr. started training to be a mechanic in Brooklyn. After the training, Jordan Sr. and his family came back to Wilmington, North Carolina, where he remained a mechanic most of his life.

How was Jordan?s relationship with his father?

Michael Jordan had a very close relationship with his father throughout his life. James R. Jordan Sr. was a huge fan of sports and loved baseball especially. From a very early stage, the Chicago Bulls legend attended local baseball games with his father and he fell in love with the game as well. So MJ played baseball in his early school years along with basketball.

Jordan Sr. also encouraged his children to work hard in their passion. He also set certain rules for the family to support each other whenever a family member competed. The family always tried to show support by attending each other’s games or performances.

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Even though it was hard to implement when MJ played in the NBA, at least one family member tried to attend all home games in Chicago. And Jordan Sr. was at his son’s corner whenever he could.

What was the reason behind Michael Jordan?s father?s demise??

James R. Jordan Sr. was brutally murdered on July 23, 1993. It was understandably a huge blow to Michael Jordan and his family and a major shock to the sports world. According to reports, Jordan Sr. took a nap along a North Carolina highway when suspects, Larry Demery and Daniel Green, shot him and robbed him of his belongings. The perpetrators described this as a random act of violence.

Demery took a plea and testified against Green. They were both sentenced to life in jail. However, there were some unanswered questions about the killing that caused some controversy. The docuseries Moment of Truth?released in 2021?presented a case for the innocence of Green.

Some Untold facts about Jordan?s father?s death

As per reports, Green had an alibi for the whole night of the murder and he has always claimed that he did not murder James R. Jordan Sr. Furthermore, there are doubts about Demery’s description of the killing. Also, according to a report from WRAL, the initial autopsy report did not observe a bullet hole in his shirt.

The accused used Jordan Sr.’s phone, which resulted in their eventual arrest. Although his body was found in a swamp on August 3, it took 10 days to identify the body as it had decomposed.

Jordan’s career after his father’s death

There were some shocking rumors going around about the murder of James R. Jordan Sr. One rumor was that Michael Jordan’s gambling could have been a reason behind the killing. However, there was no evidence and the five-time NBA MVP denied the claims. After his father’s death, MJ announced that he was retiring from the NBA. His retirement in his prime after winning three straight titles shocked the world.

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The 14-time NBA All-Star then revealed his desire to play baseball. He also disclosed that he had been having this conversation about playing baseball with his father before his death. He then played minor league baseball even though he received an offer to play in the major league because he wanted to earn his spot. Although Jordan was not a superstar on the field, he was certainly improving at a faster rate.

However, after the players’ strike in 1994, the three-time All-Star Game MVP returned to the hardwood. Understandably, Jordan struggled in his return to the NBA, and the Chicago Bulls were eliminated in the playoffs by the Orlando Magic. MJ came back stronger the next year and went on to win the 1996 NBA title on Father’s day, a fitting tribute to his beloved father. An emotional Jordan was seen crying with the game ball and the Larry O’Brien trophy.

He then won another two straight rings to make it six with two different three-peats. Jordan also clinched the Finals MVP award on all six occasions, the only player to do so. Michael Jordan’s dad had a huge influence on him and his death changed MJ’s perspective on life. Jordan tries to be the best dad he can be to his children, Marcus Jordan, Jeffrey Jordan, and Jasmine M. Jordan.