From Kobe Bryant’s fadeaway jumper to Allen Iverson’s crossover, Michael Jordan’s influence on the court was legendary. Yet, his impact went beyond the hardwood, inspiring athletes across different sports to copy not just his gameplay, but also his style, swagger, and even his fashion choices. Baseball’s Ken Griffey Jr. wore his cap backward, boxer Roy Jones Jr. sported the same Nike shoes, and countless others tried to “Be Like Mike.” Now, NFL legend Lawrence Taylor has revealed another unexpected connection to ‘His Airness’.

In an episode of ‘All the Smoke’ podcast, Matt Barnes asked the 65-year-old about his iconic diamond earring. The former 2x champion couldn’t remember the name of the person who created it but shared a backstory related to his earring. “A guy made the earring for me and because I, my first year, no, second year into the league. I started being identified as LT and you know I won two defensive players of the year so they identified me and I’ve always wanted to be, like you, like, Michael Jordan, MJ, you know stuff like that he, MJ too, but the guys just got identified by their initials and I’ve always wanted to do that and when it started to happen I stayed on that boat,” said Taylor during the podcast.

The former football player was selected as the second player in the 1981 NFL draft and would go on to make 1,088 tackles and 132.5 sacks in 13 seasons, making the Pro Bowl for 10 straight years and leading the Giants to victories in Super Bowls XXI and XXV. But it wasn’t always sunny for the linebacker. His $200,000 net worth was slowly draining out due to the various legal battles that he had gotten himself into. It can be speculated that to make ends meet, he auctioned off his Super Bowl XXV ring in 2012 for $230,401.

However, his earrings held a different type of value for him. While the piece itself was exquisite, its true value lay in its connection to Michael Jordan. Taylor revealed that during his playing days, he took particular pride in his “LT” moniker, seeing a parallel with Jordan’s famous “MJ” nickname. Moreover, there was also another connection. When Taylor was given the earrings in the late 90s, the Chicago Bulls icon was also known for sporting his own iconic ‘Congo earrings’.

As sports memorabilia continues to gain value and interest, stories like Taylor’s remind us that sometimes the most precious items aren’t the obvious choices like championship rings or trophies. Sometimes, it’s the personal pieces, charged with meaning and inspiration, that carry the most significance. However, a question still remains, when did Jordan start wearing his earrings?

Michael Jordan’s statement ‘Congo Earrings’

The 6x NBA champ was known for many things, which include his unmatched skills, his competitive spirit, and his iconic fashion sense. One particular fashion accessory that became synonymous with Jordan was his pair of ‘Congo earrings.’

The origin of his iconic earrings can be traced back to the 1990s when the shooting guard was at the peak of his career. You may wonder why he suddenly started wearing hoop earrings. It can be said the reason is linked to Jordan’s psychology. Earlier, the Chicago Bulls legend used to wear two gold chains that symbolized the brash and above-the-time style of the 1980s in which Jordan played. As years went by, he wanted to tone down his fashion a bit so he went for the earrings in his left ear.

His iconic look was completed in 1996 during the premiere of the ‘Space Jam’ movie, where he rocked a gray suit, a collarless buttoned shirt, and his pant leg spilling over onto his black shoe with his famous earrings. As Jordan’s popularity grew, so did the demand for his signature style. The ‘Congo earrings’ became a sought-after item, and fans and fashion enthusiasts alike sought to emulate his look. One of them, we know now, was Lawrence Taylor.

Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger.