Michael Jordan, the basketball icon who etched his name in the history of the sport, opened up in a recent interview with CBS Sunday Morning, revealing a lesser-known side of his life. At 63 years old, the legendary player, now co-owner of the NASCAR team 23XI Racing, does not hide his longing to hold a basketball, the very thing that made him a true giant in the world of sports. His innate competitiveness and passion for adrenaline continue to fuel his sporting spirit, and he does not hesitate to share that.
“I love the thrill of competition. I’m a very competitive person, 100 percent. I think I’m cursed with a competitive gene. I have to get dressed before my wife finishes getting dressed…” Jordan stated, with a sincerity that reflects his essence. His love for sports is not limited to basketball; his foray into NASCAR represents a new way to channel that fierce competitiveness.
Jordan’s relationship with motorsport is deeply rooted in his family history. “It has to do with my family. My dad was a mechanic and worked on cars all around the neighborhood. He liked to drive fast, just like my mom. I never drive fast, but the drivers need to think very quickly. And that’s also what drew me to this sport,” he explained. His passion for NASCAR did not come out of nowhere; it was a reflection of a lifetime of love for cars and speed, although he admits, “I didn’t wake up one day and think, ‘I’m going to NASCAR.’”
Jordan also shared a reflection on his experience in motorsport, noting a significant difference compared to basketball: the closeness to people. “I wasn’t so used to that, but lately I’ve been going through that experience more often than I thought. And it’s something that is necessary,” he confessed. For the former player, the transition from basketball to NASCAR was a breath of fresh air, an escape from the weight of fame that accompanied him throughout his career. “When I said I wanted to retire from basketball, I wanted to leave the sport and what it represented within that court. I became huge in basketball. It became a burden,” he reflected.
Even so, even away from the courts, the longing for basketball and the moments that made him a legend is palpable. “One hundred percent. And it’s not just a little, it’s a lot. But I tried to make up for that a bit through NASCAR. I wish I could still pick up a basketball, I would love that,” he admitted. His humility and respect for the sport are evident when he says, “Greatest of all time? I don’t think that exists. We learn from other athletes and make the sport evolve. I wouldn’t change anything I did. I learned from mistakes, from everyone, and I was blessed. If it all ended today, I would leave with a smile on my face.”
Michael Jordan, the living legend of basketball, continues to inspire and move people with his story, proving that competitiveness and passion for sport are eternal. His journey in NASCAR may represent a new chapter, but the fire that drives him still burns brightly, showing that, despite changes, the spirit of a champion never fades.
This article first appeared on Apito Final.
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