NHL legend Jeremy Roenick recalled an incredible story that proved why Michael Jordan lived up to his reputation as one of the best basketball players of all time.
Jordan’s prolific playing career with the Chicago Bulls shot him to superstardom and the basketball legend transcended the sport during the height of his career.
The 60-year-old American superstar’s incredible run with the Bulls saw him capture six NBA championship titles and an equally impressive six NBA Finals MVP awards.
However, Jordan was also well known for his love of drinking off the court as well as not being afraid to drop some money on a friendly wager.
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Golf has been another passion for Jordan outside of his legendary basketball career, and it was also where Roenick realised why ‘MJ’ is a larger-than-life figure.
Roenick claimed that he played 36 holes of golf with Jordan while the pair were boozing and making some friendly wagers ahead of a Bulls match.
The 53-year-old former NHL All-Star went on to reveal that he was “messing around” when he told Jordan that he was going to call up the bookies and place money on the Bulls’ opponent.
However, Roenick was in for a rude awakening when Jordan told him that the Bulls would “win by 20 points” and he would “have more than 40” points.
Speaking on the McNeil & Parkins Show in 2019, he said: “[Jordan said to Roenick] ‘Meet me at Sunset Ridge, early. We’re gonna go play 18 holes.’
“We played a round, I beat him for a couple thousand and got ready to leave […] Now, the Bulls are playing that night.
“They played Cleveland that night. I’m thinking he’s leaving, it’s 10 o’clock. He goes, ‘No, let’s go play again.’
“So we go and fill up a bag full of ice and Coors Light and walk again. We roll around another 18 and I take him for another couple [thousand dollars].
“Now we’ve been drinking all afternoon and he’s going from Sunset Ridge to the stadium, to play a game.
“I’m messing around. I’m like, ‘I’m gonna call my bookie. All the money you just lost to me, I’m putting on Cleveland.’
“He goes, ‘I’ll tell you what. I’ll bet you that we’ll win by 20 points and I have more than 40 [points].’ I’m like, ‘Done.’ Son of a gun goes out and scores 52 and they win by 26 points or something.”
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Topics: Michael Jordan, Basketball, NBA
Adnan Riaz