Allen Iverson “Never Wanted to See” Michael Jackson Due to Fear of a Minor Health Concern

Imagine meeting MJ for the first time. Only a few have been blessed with an opportunity like this. Oh, we are not talking about the basketball Hall of Famer Michael Jordan here. This is the legendary singer and dancer Michael Jackson we are speaking about. Anyhow, both the MJs had a similar aura. Meeting both these icons in the same lifetime would be a dream come true, isn’t it? Philadelphia 76ers legend Allen Iverson had the chance to do it. However, he denied meeting one of them for a few health concerns. 

Allen Iverson joined the Knuckleheads Podcast, where he shared, “I’m the biggest Michael Jackson fan. I’ve never met Mike and I’m happy about that…because [Carmelo Anthony] told me one time…when I came downstairs, it was an All-Star and Mike just walked upstairs. And I played with Melo, and Melo know like I listen to Mike before games…I play what I want to play, I play Mike.” It’s only fair that AI met Jackson with an opportunity like that. 

Yet, he denied it. The 2000 MVP shared, “I never wanted to see Mike ’cause I saw his brother one time and I was about to pass out. I seen [Marlon Jackson] one time and I was about to pass out. He is his brother. I know I might have passed out if I saw him.” 

Apart from the above health concern, there was also another fear that Iverson had which stopped him from meeting Michael Jackson. 

What was Allen Iverson’s fear about meeting Michael Jackson apart from fainting?  

It would indeed be surreal to meet the pop icon. Iverson was sure that he was going to faint. At the same time, he feared the internet too. In a podcast episode with NFL legend Shannon Sharpe in 2021, Iverson shared, “He[Jackson] walked in the hotel and I came in after. Everybody was like Michael Jackson came here. And I felt faint man, and I was so happy I didn’t see him cause I thought I was going to be all on the internet or whatever.” Yeah, that could be quite embarrassing. 

He also understood the fans’ perspective, “I thought I was really going to pass out like one of them fans…That’s how much I love that man…Now I understand what them fans be going through.” Iverson got the reality check. However, he is happy about it. There are no regrets from the Hall of Famer. He at least had the chance to battle with the other MJ on the court!