?I Pressed the Self-Destruct Button and I Went Through Some Terrible Times?: Michael Jordan Saved a Sporting Legend from Another Continent Without Even Meeting Him

NBA all-time great Michael Jordan is one of the most popular athletes ever. He helped globalize the game of basketball around the world. Over the years, Jordan has inspired a lot of people in almost every part of the world. Many stars of the past and present in the NBA tried to emulate the moves of MJ while growing up. However, it is not just basketball players. He has inspired athletes from various sports with his displays on and off the court. Fans love his mentality to win at all costs, his work ethic, and his killer instinct.

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Ronnie O’Sullivan is one of the best snooker players ever. He recently equaled the most titles ever won by winning his seventh world championship. The Englishman won his first-ever world championship in 2001. But early in his career things looked really bleak for him. In 1992, his father was sentenced to life in prison for murder. O’Sullivan was struggling with alcohol and drug issues and was in rehab.?

He disclosed, “I pressed the self-destruct button and I went through some terrible times.”

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O’Sullivan was worried he was falling behind some of his competitors as they went on to win world championships. Then things changed. During rehab, watching videos of Jordan helped him turn his life around.?

Michael Jordan inspired Ronnie O’Sullivan to be great

Ronnie O’Sullivan recently talked about how Michael Jordan inspired him to be better. He revealed that one of his friends sat him down and showed him videos of the six-time NBA champion. The Chicago Bulls legend’s work ethic, sacrifices, and devotion to being great at basketball inspired O’Sullivan.?

“What changed for me was one day my mate sat down and he put a Michael Jordan video on,” he said. O’Sullivan added, “I watched how hard he worked at his sport, how he devoted his life to it – eating well, going to bed early, and doing everything he could to make himself the best he could be.”

With his newfound determination, he promised himself that he would try to be like Jordan to be great at his sport. And ‘The Rocket’ did just that. After the rehab in 2000, he won the world championship immediately in 2001. He has then gone on to win six more titles, with his recent wins coming in 2020 and 2022.

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For his seventh title, he won the final with a scoreline of 18-13 beating Judd Trump. After winning the record-seventh championship, O’Sullivan broke down in tears as his emotions took over.

Have you ever felt inspired by Michael Jordan? Let us know in the comments.