Over the years, Michael Jordan has forged friendships with numerous people, although not all of those bonds were fortunate enough to last. But the ones that lasted also saw Jordan’s kind side. As a friend, MJ always goes out of his way to make his best buddy happy. Just recently, MJ’s bestie revealed the champion’s white lie that ensured his best moment was captured the right way. Here is what happened.
Former Syracuse player Dwight Freeney has been Jordan’s best golf buddy for years. As the champ’s rule, he doesn’t need to wear any fancy outfits. However, back in February this year, Jordan asked him to dress up nicely because of a special photoshoot for the club. Even if he was surprised by the request, he decked up in his best golf outfit. However, turns out it wasn’t a photoshoot but a special moment for him which is The Knock which is usually done to announce the future Pro Football Hall of Famers about the news.
In his latest interview with NBC Sports, Freeney shared his experience with listeners and said, “One of my good friends Michael Jordan, he said, hey look, I’m playing at his golf course, so his rules are, ‘look, wear whatever you want, I don’t care what you wear – a t-shirt shorts, just come out and play some golf’. And so I took that to heart and that’s all I wore, t-shirts and shorts. And I don’t care this one particular day, he tells me, ‘hey I have,’ he has a photo shoot for the club, and he wants me to dress up nice. I like, ‘oh God, I gotta dress up for golf. I was done with that, so I said all right.”
He added, “You got it, I’ll be there, just tell me what time, tells me the time I dress up, I walk through that door, Tony Dungy sitting right there, I could not believe it, I forgot all about the Hall of Fame to be quite honest with you until I saw him it was an amazing moment.”
Freeney said that he doesn’t want to get upset if he isn’t included in the list of Hall of Famers this year. So, he didn’t expect anything, and even went golfing. If it weren’t for Jordan’s little lie, he would have had to face this important moment in his casual clothes.
Freeney will get inducted into the class of 2024 along with Andre Johnson, Julius Peppers, Patrick Willis, Randy Gradishar, and Steve McMichael. Freeney was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts and played for 10 years from 2002 to 2012. For the seven-time Pro Bowler and a Super Bowl Champion, the right person to convey the news to him was his former head coach Tony Dungy.
The entire moment was captured and can be seen on “The Knock” on YouTube. In the end, the duo were also seen taking a round around the golf course
“Dwight was our first draft pick ever and the cornerstone of my time there, we had some great players but he was the first player we picked when I was there and to see that first pick become a Hall of Famer, it’s unbelievable,” Dungy said in the clip.
Freeney was just in need of one thing which Jordan ensured to fill in. The event will be held on August 3 at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton. What are your thoughts on the Chicago Bulls legend’s friendly gesture? Let us know in the comments section below.
