Was Michael Jordan in MLB, NBA, NHL and NFL
The name of Michael Jordan carries weight around the world across generations. You don’t have to watch a second of NBA coverage to know that the Chicago Bulls legend has completely changed the course of basketball both on and off the court.
But he’s not the only Michael Jordan to become a professional athlete. Men with the same moniker also made their way to the NHL and NFL with varying degrees of success.
Michael Jordan’s NBA career
Jordan wasn’t just a once-in-a-generation talent; he was the sole organizer of the game’s culture and expanded the possibilities of how celebrities can influence the lives of fans.
The NBA before MJ was different. The nascent league was saved by the glory of Magic Johnson and Larry Bird. The common belief was that all the great teams prioritized internal scoring. A storied career marked by six league titles and five MVP awards ushered in a new era of perimeter basketball.
But one victory is not enough to make someone a global icon. The way Jordan dominated made him so beloved. Decades after his peak, videos of his greatest games still amaze him with unreal athleticism.
His Airness also played with an ultra-cool, confident and intense charisma that made the Jordan experience unlike anything else in the sport. He was a real superhero (who sometimes punched his teammates in the face).
Jordan’s personality has also made him an ideal advertiser for many products. Fans love his partnership with Nike and his signature line of Air Jordan shoes the most. He is now worth in the billions and owns several businesses, including the Charlotte Hornets.
Michael Jordan’s baseball career wasn’t successful, but it was better than many remember.
Jordan’s stint in the minor leagues is mostly seen as a joke, but that perception is undeserved. His stats are mostly in line with the performances of most of the minor league players who played that season.
Jordan gradually improved as he got used to the game. He never lived to see his basketball career. But he had a real chance to break into MLB if he lasted there for more than a year. It’s also important to note that Jordan didn’t change sports out of vanity. He did this because he needed an emotional escape from his life at the time.
The height of his celebrity made him feel claustrophobic and exhausted after winning three titles in a row. The assassination of his father, James Raymond Jordan Sr., pushed him to retire from the NBA in order to spend time with his family. Jordan chose to play baseball in honor of his father, who was a big fan of the sport and always wanted to see his son on the diamond.
Another “Michael” Jordan spent time in the NHL
Some players have been called the “Michael Jordan of hockey” over the years, but only one person can truly claim that title.
The Carolina Hurricanes selected Michael Jordan in the fourth round (105th overall) of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. After spending some time in development leagues, the Zlin, Czech Republic native made his NHL debut in February 2013. It took Michal a year to score his first professional goal, hitting the net against the Ottawa Senators.
Michal returned to the AHL at the start of the 2014/15 season, captaining the Charlotte Checkers. He left the States in 2016 to join the KHL and has been playing there ever since, first with Ak Bars for a year and the next three with Amur, Khabarovsk in Russia.
Michal has also represented the Czech Republic in numerous international tournaments, including the 2018 Olympic Games and the Ice Hockey World Championship.
Michael Jordan’s NFL career off to a good start
Michael Jordan, who made it to the NFL, has more in common with his fellow ice skating rink than with the NBA GOAT.
Michael was a four-star defensive prospect in Canton, Michigan before joining Ohio State. He immediately realized his talent at the university level. Michael was the first real freshman to start on the Buckeye O-line in 23 years. He started every game for them between 2016 and 2018. After his junior year, when he joined the Big Ten Conference Second Team, Michael applied for the NFL Draft.
He was drafted in the fourth round (136th pick) by the Cincinnati Bengals, starting nine games as a rookie. He started 10 games the following year but was cut by the team before the start of last season. Carolina Panthers quickly picked up Michael. He started 10 games for them in 2021.
It must be strange that these players live under the same name as the best NBA player of all time. But you have to give them credit for pursuing their dream despite the pressure and jokes that come with being Michael Jordan.
RELATED: Charles Barkley thinks Michael Jordan is an asshole for two reasons that have nothing to do with his on-court resume.
