Can you believe Michael Jordan had a superstition some would deem unhygienic? And the best part? He’s never shied away from it. In fact, his latest sneaker release under the $109.52 Billion Nike’s Jordan Brand puts it on full display. Enter the Air Jordan 3 Lucky Shorts. This fresh take on the classic silhouette is inspired by a peculiar ritual Mike followed throughout his career—one that only the most die-hard fans might remember.

It all ties back to his college days at the University of North Carolina. Before every game, Michael Jordan would slip on his blue UNC practice shorts under his Chicago Bulls uniform. A tradition that lasted throughout his NBA career. And now, this superstition is getting the sneaker treatment with a special edition of the Air Jordan 3.

At first glance, the “Lucky Shorts” AJ3 borrows the color blocking from the iconic “Fire Red” Air Jordan 3. The upper is covered in clean white leather, while the midsole features a slightly aged look. Thus giving it that vintage appeal. But the real magic happens in the details. Instead of the signature elephant print, this version opts for gray suede overlays, a sleek and premium touch that sneakerheads will appreciate.

And, of course, the nod to his beloved college shorts comes through with Carolina blue accents on the eyelets and heel. It’s subtle, but it’s enough to remind fans of the superstition that supposedly helped shape NBA fashion as we know it. Yep, rumor has it that his need to keep them hidden under his uniform is what led MJ to request longer and baggier Bulls shorts. A trend that would soon take over the entire NBA.

Multiple fans might remember the reference in the 1996 movie Space Jam, too. In one scene, Michael Jordan tells his Looney Tunes teammates, “Whatever you do, don’t forget my North Carolina shorts. I wore them under my Chicago Bulls uniform every game.” His Looney Tunes teammates were understandably grossed out, but His Airness quickly reassured them: “Hey, I washed them after every game.”

And now fans have a chance to own a piece of that history. The Air Jordan 3 Retro “Lucky Shorts” drops on February 22 for a reported $200.

“Lucky Shorts” AJ3’s announcement perfectly aligns with the hype of another release from Michael Jordan

Fans who were at the Chicago Bulls’ last game might have noticed something odd outside the United Center. MJ’s legendary statue was missing a key detail—his sneakers were blacked out. No, it wasn’t a mistake, but a brilliant marketing move celebrating 40 years of the Air Jordan 1.

Nike kicked things off on Christmas Day with a thought-provoking commercial that had fans wondering: what if Michael Jordan and Nike had never changed sneaker history? And now, with this latest stunt—literally blocking out MJ’s sneakers on his own statue—the buzz has only gotten louder.

If this feels familiar, that’s because it’s a clever callback to the 1985 commercial where MJ’s AJ1s were covered with black bars after the NBA banned them for breaking uniform rules.

Of course, sneakerheads were quick to point out that the statue at the United Center actually wears AJ9s and that the NBA originally banned the Nike Air Ship—not the AJ1. But let’s be real—the buzz is what matters. And now, the “Lucky Shorts” AJ3 announcement is perfectly positioned to ride that wave of excitement.