Michael Jordan was a hyper-competitive athlete. Even when he was young and even if it was with his brother. In one of the many instances of his youth, he once told his older brother to check himself. And mocked him in a way that is akin to bullying.
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Albeit the word bullying these days has a strong connotation, we are using it rather liberally. No, Jordan did not actually bully his brother. But he did say things in his usual condescending tone.
The story is about how he and his brother Larry used to play one v one all the time. Larry used to dunk on him when he was a kid. And one summer, he got so frustrated, he grew a foot! Larry, for context, is 5 foot 7 inches. And as they grew older, they still played a lot of 1 v 1s. Despite the height differences.
“Remember Whose Name is on Your Shoes.”: Michael Jordan Once Bullied His Brother Larry Jordan and Thrashed him
“We grew up one-on-one, But the last time we competed, he just looked down at my feet, and he said, ‘Remember whose name is on your shoes.'”, Larry Jordan said to Sports Illustrated in 1991.
Classic Michael, to not only call out his brother but to show him his place. Larry was shaken. But thankfully, it was all banter between the brothers.
Jordan during his peak was unstoppable, especially for this 5’7″ brother. And just like his opponents on the court, he was not going to show him any mercy.
Michael Jordan’s brother Larry was always a constant in his life
Michael Jordan had a close relationship with his older brother. Like Michael, Larry was also a talented basketball player, but he ultimately pursued a career in law enforcement.
Despite this, he remained supportive of Michael’s basketball career, often attending his games and cheering him on. Michael has spoken about how his brother’s tough love and criticism helped push him to become a better player. In fact, Larry was instrumental in convincing Michael to return to basketball after he briefly retired in 1993 after his father’s untimely demise.
Tragically, Larry passed away in 2020, which was a devastating loss for Michael and his family. However, their bond and shared love for basketball will always be a significant part of Michael’s legacy.
