Super Bowl Week was big for Michael Jordan. Not only is the Jordan Brand making big leaps into the football business and His Airness himself won’t miss out on the big game day, one of his closest friends was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. For anyone who’s admired Dwight Freeney, this was a long time coming. Yet he needed to be lured to a meeting with Tony Dungy to be given the news. Jordan probably got a good kick out of that while being happy for his friend. Both come from two different ball pitches and formed a friendship over a different game. Now the newly-minted Hall-of-Famer reveals how his childhood hero became his ‘big brother.’

Jordan and Freeney were friends since 2003. The NBA champion had just retired for good. Freeney had just started his career with the Indianapolis Colts and bonded, “through the game of golf.” Both enjoyed golf and Jordan invited the then-NFL rookie to his invitational. Over the years, MJ has become the “big bro” and “teammate” on the course for Freeney.

They’re usually on the same team when shooting a few holes at the Grove, Jordan’s golf club that Freeney is a member of. There’s a small downside to it. “He’s my partner for the most rounds… bad thing is I had no chance of hitting any good shots.” Apparently Jordan doesn’t cut even his golf partner any slack.

Through the 2007 Super Bowl, the seven Pro-Bowl appearances, and all the highs and lows of his NFL career, Jordan has been his mentor and confidant. MJ was naturally not going to miss the biggest accomplishment of his friend’s career.

Michael Jordan’s little trickery

Freeney was a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. But he preferred to not get his hopes up and stay oblivious to the results. Jordan seemingly was not. He set the stage for Freeney to learn he’s inducted in the hall of fame at the Grove. The thing though, Jordan’s club has a lax dress code and Freeney was on the verge of walking into his hall of fame meeting in comfy tee and shorts.

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So Jordan pretended he wanted Freeney for a photoshoot for the club and he should come over dressed up in “good golf clothes.” When he shows up, Tony Dungy is there to let him know he’s going to be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. And Jordan was, “laughing in the background.” Fun Fact: They played a round that day and Freeney made only bad shots.

Good thing he’s not a HoFer for golf. But these two are definitely friendship goals!

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