Michael Jordan’s gambling addiction might have added much to his ever-increasing woes. In the 1990s, Jordan’s fame rose beyond basketball for his gambling exploits. This was proven by an incident in 1991 during a two-day break between playoff games against the Philadelphia 76ers. The situation was aggravated further when Jordan was found to be linked with convicted drug dealer James ‘Slim’ Bouler. The IRS officials retrieved a $57,000 cheque from Jordan, allegedly a gamble Bouler had won while playing golf. However, in reality, Jordan had lied about this payment. It was one of the debts Jordan owed to Bouler, given his gambling pursuits.
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In the book Jordan Rules, Sam Smith notes that Jordan’s popularity saved him at the Federal Court. The defense attorneys and others in the courtroom were star-struck to have Jordan amongst them. However, all of his gambling and betting exploits would come back to haunt him after his father died in 1993.
Michael Jordan’s popularity followed him to the Federal Court
After being linked to James ‘Slim’ Bouler’s money laundering trial, Michael Jordan was stuck in a nasty mess. He was called upon at Charlotte, North Carolina, to testify in Bouler’s money laundering scandal. Jordan had lost $57,000 to the convicted drug dealer in 1990, which he had maintained as a driving range loan for the past year.
However, appearing before trial, Jordan admitted that he was indeed lying. Jordan’s fame and popularity perhaps followed him to the court, which Sam Smith notes in his book Jordan Rules. Smith writes:
“Although gambling is illegal in South Carolina, where the events occurred, Jordan was not a subject of the investigation. And, in fact, he was a celebrity even in the courthouse. ‘Are you the guy on the Wheaties box?’ asked defense attorney James Wyatt in questioning Jordan.”
Perhaps, the high stakes and repercussions from gambling did teach Jordan a lesson. Speaking about these incidents, Jordan later revealed,
“Winning is great. But when you lose that amount and get all the abuse I got, it, ain’t worth it any longer. If any problems occur on this team, it won’t be because of me. I won’t compete on the golf course again.”
Gambling woes would haunt MJ after his father’s death
Two assailants killed Michael Jordan’s father, James Jordan, on July 23, 1993, in a carjacking. The assailants, Larry Demery and Daniel Green pleaded guilty to counts of first-degree murder. Jordan would admit that his gambling exploits would continue to haunt him after his father’s death. During his retirement press conference, he said:
“It made me realize how short life is, how quickly things can end, how innocently. And I thought that there are times in one’s life when you have to put games aside. I wanted to give more time to my family. I’ve been very selfish about centering things on my basketball career. Now it’s time to be unselfish with them.”
Many sports columnists at that time had also drawn speculations about his gambling connection with James Jordan’s murder. Days after this murder, a frustrated and anguished Jordan said in a statement:
“I am trying to deal with the overwhelming feelings of loss and grief in a way that would make my dad proud. I simply cannot comprehend how others could intentionally pour salt in my open wound by insinuating that faults and mistakes in my life are in some way connected to my father’s death.”
Perhaps, this phase was one of the most important ones in Michael’s career and legacy. He returned from retirement in 1995, winning another three-peat with the Bulls. While earlier, he had admitted to losing interest in basketball, his first return after retirement was filled with rejuvenated vigor and passion, which was never seen in him before.
