He’s widely considered the best basketball player of all time and he’s lived life in the spotlight since bursting onto the NBA scene in the 1980s. But it turns out, Michael Jordan’s been carrying a secret all this time, one that was recently revealed by his own children.
There’s little debate that Michael Jordan is one of, if not the greatest basketball player in history, and among the world’s most prominent sports stars to boot. In the ’90s “MJ” became a global idol, inspiring an entire generation of children and breaking boundaries at every turn.
The linchpin of the Chicago Bulls side that won six NBA titles, Jordan received the league’s MVP accolade five times, was NBA Finals MVP six times, made the NBA All-Star team 14 times, and was the league’s top scorer in 10 different seasons.
The list goes on and on. The point, if you’d failed to grasp it, is that Jordan is a unique human being, and an athlete whose success and influence is virtually unparalleled.
As a result of his successes and the phenomenal marketing that led to Jordan-mania, Jordan amassed an eye-watering fortune that has allowed him to live a life of luxury since his career on the court came to its famous end.
In 2019, MJ bought himself a yacht for no less than $80million, naming it “Joy”.
Interestingly, however, a little-known fact about Jordan has now come to light courtesy of his son, Marcus. Namely, that the former Bulls sensation can’t swim.
“Another thing that people don’t know about my dad is that he can’t swim,” Marcus Jordan revealed on the Separation Anxiety podcast.
“Obviously, he just brought a really large yacht and has two fishing boats. So, he’s always on the water, but if he falls in, he can’t swim.”
It might come as a surprise to some people that one of the greatest athletes we’ve ever known can’t swim, but reportedly there’s a tragic reason as to why Jordan never learned.
Back in 1992, Jordan revealed in a Playboy interview that the water is his “greatest fear”, stemming from an episode of childhood trauma.
“I went swimming with a close friend one day and we were out wading and riding the waves coming in,” Jordan explained. “The current was so strong it took him under and he locked up on me. It’s called the ‘death lock’ when they know they’re in trouble and about to die. I almost had to break his hand. He was gonna take me with him.”
“He died,” the NBA legend added. “I don’t go into the water anymore.”
Naturally, the fatal accident left an indelible mark on Jordan.
“I’m not going in the water anymore,” he said.
“Everyone has a phobia about something. I stay away from water.”
Well I certainly never knew that about Michael Jordan. Did you? Let us know in the comments.
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