Apart from dominating the basketball court, 6× NBA champion Michael Jordan is also an avid golfer and has earned quite a name in gambling. While most of Jordan’s betting occurred at casinos and on the golf course, he ventured into betting on other sports as well. One notable instance was when Jordan placed money on an NFL star and personally warned him before Super Bowl XLIX not to lose it.
This particular incident left a lasting impression on 3× Super Bowl champion Julian Edelman, who has shared this story multiple times. In his Games With Names podcast, the 38-year-old recounted his 2015 run-in with Michael Jordan just before the Patriots were set to play the Seattle Seahawks in the Super Bowl. “The week before Super Bowl 2014, I took my folks to dinner, and I roll up, and I see Derek Jeter and Michael Jordan,” he said, painting a vivid picture of the encounter.
The story took an unexpected turn when Edelman revealed what happened next. He and Jeter greeted each other and chatted briefly. However, as the conversation was wrapping up and Edelman was about to leave, MJ, who had been quiet the whole time, stepped in and gave him a stern warning: “Hey kid, I got a bunch of money on you. Don’t f*** it up.” This blunt remark from Jordan, delivered with his characteristic intensity, left Edelman both stunned and motivated.
The Super Bowl MVP (LIII) further shared that this was the only thing MJ said to him before leaving. Thankfully for both Edelman and Jordan, the Patriots went on to defeat the Seahawks in Super Bowl XLIX at the University of Phoenix Stadium on February 1, 2015.
Edelman’s performance was crucial to the victory, and one can only imagine the satisfaction the Bulls legend felt as his high-stakes bet paid off, thanks to Edelman’s clutch plays.
Michael Jordan and gambling: a long story
Julian Edelman certainly didn’t disappoint the 14× NBA All-Star champ in Super Bowl XLIX. His outstanding performance, featuring 9 catches for 109 yards and a game-changing touchdown, was pivotal in the Patriots’ narrow 28-24 victory over the Seahawks. This hard-fought win secured New England’s fourth title. Before retiring, Edelman added two more championships to his resume with the Patriots, cementing his status as a key player in the team’s success.
However, MJ’s illustrious career was not without its controversies, especially regarding his gambling habits. During the 90s, his gambling issues sparked significant debate and rumors, which added a complex layer to Jordan’s legacy, highlighting the off-court challenges he faced.
In an interview with Connie Chung, MJ shared a candid glimpse into how he managed his gambling losses at home. Whenever he lost money betting, he would give an equivalent amount to his wife, saying, “Here, take it, do what you have to do with it, I wasted it. So this is yours.”
Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting pilot episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and SEC All-Freshman Team Selection, Silas Demary Jr.