Michael Jordan is arguably one of the most famous athletes to have ever played any sport. But he wasn’t always on the top of the food chain. In fact, MJ has four siblings. Being the youngest of the five, he wasn’t always the dominant one. One can only imagine having four elder siblings of the same genes as Michael Jordan and the amount of competitiveness in the family. And where there is competition there can very easily be jealousy. But that competitiveness only transcended into his game, making him a beast of an athlete. 

Jordan’s parents were always very strict and were proactive in what their children wanted to do. Being a family, Jordan’s mother Deloris especially made sure that they all found joy in each other’s success. And for that to happen, she had a strict family rule where every sibling had to attend and cheer the other one’s games, achievements, and celebrations so that they can enjoy themselves as a family with the same level of accomplishment. However, she once broke her own rule just so her eldest son could get the limelight.

Michael Jordan missed his eldest brother’s biggest celebrations

The eldest son, Ronnie Jordan served in the military for 31 years. He retired as a Sergeant Major and his retirement party was an event to celebrate for the whole family. Michael Jordan was to join the family, but not until the second day of the festivities, upon his mother’s request.

“I wanted Ronnie to have his day,” Mother Deloris said “Then Michael called and said his car broke down and I secretly thought, ‘Good, Ronnie will have the acknowledgment and attention he deserves.'” As a result, MJ couldn’t attend the festivities altogether. Ronnie retired in 2006. This was three years after Michael had retired. So the presence of MJ would have automatically meant all the spotlight and attention would have been focused on him. 

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MJ was undoubtedly a sensation in his playing days and a legend after his retirement. His mother felt he had already had a lot of such moments where he got his due celebration, including the multiple awards, MVPs, six NBA titles, and his retirement in 2003. So it was time for Ronnie to have this moment of his retirement all for himself. Even if it meant, Deloris had to initiate breaking her own long-standing family rule.

Michael Jordan’s relationship with his family

Michael Jordan’s character and personality perfectly describe how his family was growing up. From constant banters to unreal competitiveness. The Jordan family always pushed each other to be the best versions of themselves. Even when Michael couldn’t attend Ronnie’s retirement party due to his car breaking down, they all joked about it because Michael never learned to do such things.

He was not so good at tools and stuff like fixing a car himself. But the thing he was good at, he certainly showed the whole world how good he actually can be.

Today, he is one of the richest athletes ever with a net worth of around $2 billion, but there was a time in his childhood when not everyone was sure of the grandeur of his success. And that is what makes his family even prouder. Michael Jordan had a dream and he achieved it, one day at a time.

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When he was at the top, he remained at the top. That is what his family values helped him to do. So safe to say the relationship with his family has always been a special bond, even if his own mother wanted him to skip his eldest brother’s retirement celebrations.