Michael Jordan is one of the most popular figures in NBA history. He is widely considered to be the GOAT and practically owned the league during the 1990s. He has six NBA Championships, six Finals MVPs, and five regular season MVPs to show for it.
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So, when he decided to retire in 1998, the fans and media mourned the departure of a legend. But, they had been down this road before. MJ had previously retired in 1993, only to return a year later. And, to no one’s surprise, it was like deja vu when he announced his second return in 2001.
This time, His Airness wouldn’t be dawning the red of the Chicago Bulls. Instead, he chose the blue of the Washington Wizards. It was such a momentous occasion, that then-President Bill Clinton dropped everything to meet him. Just four hours after the announcement!
Bill Clinton welcomed Michael Jordan to DC just four hours after he became a Washington Wizard
In 2001, Michael Jordan announced his emphatic return to the NBA. The then-38-year-old joined the Washington Wizards. It was a huge deal that received worldwide media coverage. After all, the GOAT had returned.
So, given the spectacle, it isn’t that shocking that everyone wanted to meet him. In fact, the 42nd President of the United States, Bill Clinton rushed to meet him. As Sports Illustrated reported, the announcement was underway at around 5:00, and four hours later it seemed as though President Clinton dropped everything to welcome the legend to the nation’s capital.
“Consider the rapid response at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.: The press conference announcing that Jordan had joined the team began at 4:55 p.m.; by nine a beaming Bill Clinton was standing beside him in suite 102.”
Just goes to show the kind of star power His Airness had. Then again, it’s not every day you get to welcome the man who trash-talked you during a round of golf.
Jordan once trash-talked Bill Clinton during a game of golf
Stories of Michael Jordan talking trash to his opponents on the hardwood courts of the NBA are old news. He’s done it time and time again. But, he once took the art of trash-talk to a whole new level when he played a round of golf with former President Bill Clinton. In what must have been an entertaining 18-hole course, Jordan indirectly called Clinton a “little girl”.
It truly is amazing just how competitive Jordan is. But, it’s important to remember that it was this competitiveness that drove him to become the greatest of all time.
This article is taken from an excerpt from Sports Illustrated in 2001.
