“Nobody ate the Pizza But Him”: Michael Jordan’s Trainer Reveals Details About the Flu Game

In Game 5 of the 1997 NBA Finals, Michael Jordan led his team with 31 points while carrying the flu. “The flu game,” as many famously remember it. Jordan’s trainer Tim Grover recalled the game saying it was not flu, but food poisoning.

In an appearance on Pardon My Take, Grover said that the team decided to stay in Park City in Utah. Park City then, as Grover described, used to sleep early unlike the current Park city. Late night before Game 5, Jordan said he was hungry. Everything by then was closed.

“I was finally able to find a pizza joint that’s open,” said Grover before adding that Jordan then asked him to order a pizza. “So I ordered the pizza. Then the door rang and when I open the door, there are literally five guys standing out there to deliver the pizza.

“Obviously they wanted to get a glimpse of Michael. I handled the pizza, paid the guys, and I closed the door. And I just said: ‘I’ve got a bad feeling about this.’ And he was like, ‘Oh man! F**k you!’

“There were four of in the room. Nobody ate the pizza but him. And there were no signs of flu or anything being sick. And then at 3 o’clock in the morning, I get a call to my room. Come to the room. He’s curled up in the fetal position. We’re looking at him, finding the team physician at that time.”

Grover was convinced no flu could hit Jordan in such a short duration but food poisoning most certainly can.

The Last Dance has been celebrating the greatness of Michael Jordan

It is not the first time that Grover has shared this story about the flu game. He did it a few years back one of his interviews. But with The Last Dance celebrating Jordan’s greatness, it is a good time to relive the story.

The Last Dance, focussing on Jordan’s last season at the Bulls, has shared some incredible stories about the basketball legend. The 10-episode series from ESPN has aired eight of its episodes and has received great viewership. It has offered the fans with the closest alternative to sport amidst the global pandemic.