Middle of the Paint
“That part of being the first athlete to control his own team is secondary in terms of me trying to provide a winning program here in Charlotte” Michael said. “For me everybody just wants to see us win. Doesn’t matter if it’s me, doesn’t matter if it’s Bob, doesn’t matter if it’s anybody else, he continued. “I’m happy to be in this position and given this opportunity by Bob.” Acknowledgement by Jordan regarding the significance of this event would be very un-Jordan like. Throughout his playing career he was known for remaining unbiased on just about everything. He almost never said nor did anything that would ruffle the feathers of his corporate sponsors, who helped him, become the wealthy man he is today. I mean could you imagine Jordan encouraging his teammates to silent protest for Rodney King, similar to the way Lebron James and Dwyane Wade tweeted pictures of teammates wearing hoods in support of Trayvon Martin. I know I can’t. Instead of verbalizing his feelings, Michael spoke through his play on the basketball court. Instead of preaching for racial harmony and social justice, he was able to bring people together by simply playing basketball with grace and style and at a higher degree than anyone before or after him. I guess Jordan figured if he just shut his mouth, play basketball, and excel at a level no one has ever seen, everything, from his race, to his gambling, would be obsolete. And he was pretty much right. His accomplishments, wealth and popularity give credence to his philosophy.
Life Goes On
But Jordan doesn’t play basketball anymore; and although he has maintained his status and money throughout his retirement, most former athletes aren’t able to say the same thing. In fact according to businesspundit.com via madamenoire.com, 78 percent of NFL players and 60 percent of NBA players are broke five years after retirement. Legendary basketball player Julius “Dr. J” Erving and former all-star football player Warren Sapp were the latest to become part of this statistic. Both former athletes have hit hard times financially and had to sell their championship rings and other memorabilia in order to pay creditors and relived some of their debt. The transition from the playing field to the real world becomes difficult not only from a financial standpoint but emotionally and physically as well. It seems that the bigger the star the athlete was; the harder it becomes for that athlete to gracefully walk away from that spotlight.