It feels like 2020 all over again. No, not huddling up at home and avoiding handshakes. That year fans went in circles online discussing what is wrong with Michael Jordan’s eyes. Four years later, this is a viral discussion again. Instead of confessionals in ‘The Last Dance’, his appearance at a soccer game in Monaco last week sparked a frenzy. Once more, Jordan is not discussing his health publicly. However, the drama may have got to him a bit. But those close to him had to put an end to the craziness.

61-year-old Michael Jordan was watching the Champions League in Monaco on September 19. Close-up pictures from the event showed his yellow, glassy eyes. Soon, fans theorized his health was in shambles for a variety of speculative reasons.

When the rumors went out of hand, a source close to him told media outlets, “Mike is OK. He goes to the doctor, he is just getting older and the recent pics are in no way or should be a reason for concern.” The unidentified source further said, “There is nothing wrong with him. Like everyone, we should get a little more exercise and Mike enjoys the life he has made for himself, but there isn’t any hidden illness that he is dealing with.”

The insider also revealed that Jordan isn’t completely ignorant of what’s going on. Apparently, the reaction to his natural appearance left him “embarrassed.” But in typical ‘Air Jordan’ fashion, he’s taken it as a challenge to get healthier.

“He doesn’t want to be remembered by people as looking sick and down and out, the next time we see him, it will be dramatically different and he will look much better, he will bounce back,” said the insider. This is a little surprising, considering the last time Michael Jordan’s health was a viral debate.

Michael Jordan’s health is a recurring issue

‘The Last Dance’ in 2020 was revelatory for a lot of reasons. For Michael Jordan’s health, it was not. An older ‘His Airness’ had prominently muddy sclera in his present-day interviews. So a section of the discussions about the Netflix docu-series revolved around his health.

In 2020 and 2024, fans have speculated Jordan is battling some form of liver disease, jaundice, and more. A few rationalized it’s a simple sign of aging. The trolls brought back comparisons to the other MJ, the one with the yellow wolf eyes in the “Thriller” music video. Cynics have told him to lay off the cigars and Cincoro.

He’s had many public appearances, even less without a pair of sunglasses on, since 2003. Many theorized we’ve not seen the camera-shy Jordan age the way Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley have changed with each season on TNT.

However, the 6x champion was healthy and efficient, even at the time of his retirement. He has had a reputation since his NBA career and the repetitive rumors are hard to ignore. So it is understandable why the viral drama over his health stings him.