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“It Puts a Real Big Strain on Me Personally”: Bulls Legend Michael Jordan on Feeling Overwhelmed with Fame and Attention After 1995 NBA Return

Published 11/06/2022, 8:07 AM EST

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Many have argued that the Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan is the best player of all time. Whether he is the best or not, he surely is one of the most iconic and influential players to ever play the game. When Jordan was in the league, all eyes were on him at all times. The amount of media attention he got was unimaginable. Even after retiring, he is still one of the most influential legends there is.

But did you know that all the fame and attention he received got overwhelming even for him? Jordan first retired from the league in 1993 to go play baseball. But he eventually made a comeback to the league in 1995.

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Michael Jordan was a bit overwhelmed after he came back from retirement in 1995

At that time, everyone had their eyes on His Airness and his return. And people wondered whether MJ will be as good as he was in the league before his hiatus. Jordan had retired from the league after winning three consecutive NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls.

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But after his return, the amount of attention he got from the media and fans ended up being quite overwhelming for him. Jordan once talked about it during an interview with Craig Sager in 1995. While talking to ‘His Airness,’ Sager asked him, “How do you feel about all this attention? Is it too much overwhelming?”

To that Jordan had replied, “Yes, I think it’s a little bit too much and kind of overwhelming. I mean it puts a real big strain on me personally in my life you know. It’s always great to be respected and admired but to a point where you know it exceeds certain living, you know, situations and it’s not that much fun to me.”

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Well, Michael Jordan for many, was considered a God. People went crazy at the sight of MJ. Even players who played in the league with him were absolutely mesmerized at the sight of him off the floor.

Watch This Story – Russell Westbrook, Kawhi Leonard, and other NBA players who signed with the Michael Jordan brand

MJ was so iconic that he went on to have a brand of himself in association with Nike. And now multiple players are part of the Jordan family.

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However, despite his initial awkwardness, MJ would go on to win three more chips with the Bulls. In fact, he would follow-up his first three-peat with another one from 1996-98.

 

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Written by:

Abhishek Dhariwal

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Abhishek Dhariwal is an NBA writer for EssentiallySports. He earned his bachelor's degree in English Honors from St. Xavier's College and his master's degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from AAFT School of Mass Communication and Journalism.
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Edited by:

Satagni Sikder