What happened to Michael Jordan's father?
James Jordan Sr., the father of NBA legend Michael Jordan, died in July 1993. It was a tragic death nobody saw coming.
One evening, James was on his way home from a game of golf. He decided to pull over at US Highway 74 to take a nap, but an innocent nap would make him the victim of a bloody murder.
Daniel Andre Green and Larry Martin killed Michael Jordan's father when they spotted his car parked on the side. Green shot James in his sleep multiple times and stole his car later. James Jordan's body was found in a swamp somewhere in South Carolina a couple of weeks after his death.
How did Michael Jordan respond to his father's death?
Michael Jordan is undoubtedly one of the greatest basketball players of all time. His athletic ability, combined with his fierce competitiveness and unyielding drive, made him a force to be reckoned with on the court. What many may not know is how Jordan responded to the tragic death of his father.
Jordan's father was a constant presence in his life, serving as a mentor and source of inspiration. James Jordan has always been supportive of his son's basketball career, and Michael credited him for instilling in him the work ethic and determination that made him a champion.
In the aftermath of his father's tragic death, Jordan struggled to come to terms with the loss. He later revealed that he had contempated retiring from basketball to focus on his family. He also had a short stint in baseball to honor his father's love for the sport. Eventually, Jordan decided to return to basketball and sported the number '45' as a tribute to James, which was his favorite number.
In the ensuing weeks and months, Jordan continued to struggle with his grief. He would often break down in tears during interviews and spoke about the pain of losing his father. However, he also found solace in the game of basketball, using it as a way to channel his emotions and honor his father's memory.
Michael Jordan was eventually able to move on from his father's tragic death, as he found success with the Chicago Bulls again. MJ won three more back-to-back titles and would go on to sport an unbeaten 6-0 record in NBA Finals.