"One day, make me want your autograph, kid" - Jazz Chisholm Jr. reminisces on the day NBA legend Michael Jordan denied his autograph request
Like most athletes growing up, Jazz Chisholm Jr. looked up to NBA legend Michael Jordan. He was nearly every athlete's role model given the amount of success he had and his dedication to the sport of basketball.
Being so popular, Jordan is often asked for autographs whenever he goes out into the public. That was no different during a celebrity softball game he took part in years ago.
Chisholm Jr. went up to Jordan to ask for his autograph, but the icon did not budge.
"I was ten years old and Jordan's sneaking out of the back. I asked him for his autograph. He looks at me, he turns around and says, 'One day, make me want your autograph, kid.' And just walks off," said Chisholm Jr.
Jordan left Chisholm Jr. hanging, but that only motivated the youngster. He made it his mission to get to the big leagues and sign with the Jordan brand.
"That was like one of the main things that we worked to, is to get this Jordan deal," said Chisholm Jr.
It would take a little time for him to get the deal he was searching for. However, he eventually signed with Jordan and could not be happier with how it all played out.
"I end up signing a two-year deal with Nike, but then that Jordan deal came through, and that was like, you can't compare to that" said Chisholm Jr.
Jazz Chisholm Jr. is not the only Jordan athlete on the New York Yankees
The Jordan brand has seen an increase on the baseball diamond. Derek Jeter opened things up for baseball players, and those after him have taken that in stride.
Jazz Chisholm Jr. is not the only New York Yankees player to have a deal with the Jordan brand. His All-Star teammate, Aaron Judge, is also a part of the brand.
Judge signed his deal last season and has been seen wearing the iconic Jordan 11s this season. It was the cleats that he hit his 50th and 51st home runs during the regular season.
The Jordan brand is becoming more and more prevalent on the baseball field. It will be interesting to see what other star players the brand is looking to sign over the next few years.