Backed by $16 Million Shoe Earnings, Michael Jordan Disrespected President Bush: “White House is Just Like Any Other House”

In 1991, Michael Jordan finally added that much-needed trophy to his accomplishments. Since his debut in 1984, Jordan had been criticized season after season for failing to reach the pinnacle of an NBA season. By then, he had already led the league in scoring 4-times so it was certainly a shock to see him lose.

It was the Detroit Pistons that hounded Jordan and his hopes for an NBA ring. So, when he finally conquered them in 1991, Michael had slain the dragon that guarded the treasures. The 1991 title was special truly special, after all, it was the first of MJ and the Bulls’ 6 titles. The first ones are always sweeter, especially if you wait 6 years before finally laying a claim to it.

Unfortunately, the sweetness of this victory was dampened by a certain decision. Michael Jordan, while on a trip with Juanita Vanoy, Horace Grant, and his wife, confessed to Grant that he would not attend the anticipated meeting with President Bush.

Michael Jordan snubbed President Bush for golf

Michael’s confidence was beyond the understanding of a less driven man. His focus and belief in himself were so steadfast that to some, it almost seemed like arrogance. But for Michael, it was just the way he was. After all, would the savior of basketball ever question his belief? Especially after defeating Detroit and the Lakers to win the title?

Perhaps that was the moment MJ finally became the man that the world thinks he is since the airing of Last Dance. A cut-throat pro determined to destroy anyone who challenged his authority. But his first title and his desire to play golf affected Jordan’s decision-making.

He told Horace how he felt about the ceremony and that he would excuse himself kindly to head to the golf course. Of course, it helped that by then Michael had also earned $16 million from his Nike deal. The extra money backing him up likely made him even more confident.

Later, after Horace Grant made a huge deal about it in the media, Michael responded to all the criticism. He reminded the media of the importance of free time for an athlete of his caliber. In his book Michael Jordan: The Life, Roland Lazenby wrote in detail.

Roland Lazenby: “Horace and his wife and Michael and his wife went to New York. They went to dinner and to see a play. While they were out, Michael basically told Horace that he wasn’t going to see President Bush. Michael said, ‘It’s not obligatory. It’s on my time, and I have other things to do.’ Horace at the time had no problem with it. He knew about this in a private situation and said nothing. Yet when the press came into the picture after, after the story became public, and asked Horace if I bothered him, he made a big issue of it. Basically, the press had put the words in his mouth, and he felt it was a good time to make this kind of statement.” “No way am I going,” Jordan told reporters when asked about the traditional visit. “No one asked me if the date was convenient. It’s OK if the other guys go, but the White House is just like any other house. It’s just cleaner.”

Michael wasn’t wrong in his decision. While some may believe he should have respected the office of the president, to Jordan, it seemed like an unimportant waste. He could have been at the golf course instead of pocketing what was left of his friends’ wealth.

Jordan ended up furious at the media

In the aftermath, Jordan faced severe backlash for missing the meet-up with President Bush. Though not the first to do so, he was seen as an even more arrogant and conceited man than before.

Finally, after days of being at the end of reporters’ poking, Michael finally found his anger turn into rage. He attacked the press for forcing him to talk about something he did not wish to talk about. Eventually, the matter settled as do all controversies. But perhaps Jordan used it as fodder to feed the growing hunger inside of him to win another one.