Michael Jordan appears to be the greatest of all time off the hardwood, as well.
The internet was set ablaze when a video showing a man sporting Jordan’s entire outfit — from jersey, to shorts, to even accessories — was seen playing in a pick-up Basketball game. The video has now registered millions of views, one of which ironically coming from Mr. Michael Jordan himself.
The man in the video is Jeffrey Harrison, a 33-year-old fan who’s absolutely obsessed with the six-time NBA champion Michael Jordan. Many people clowned Harrison on the net but the man who suffers from autism was just trying to have fun and play like the man he idolized. Michael Jordan.
“He wakes up in the morning, watches Michael Jordan videos, studies Michael Jordan moves,” Harrison’s close friend Alfred Byrd told Darnay Tripp of Krem.com.
“It kind of hurt me a little bit but in a way he’s been going through that his whole life,” said Byrd.
It is part of an obstacle he and millions of others in the United States face on a daily basis. The obstacle is called autism. Byrd has known Harrison for 20 years and seen the challenges he faces. From not being able to have a job, to the criticism that comes when he is doing what he loves.
Michael Jordan sent two boxes of gear to Jeffrey Harrison after seeing video of him playing hoops in his MJ uniform. pic.twitter.com/ZV0c7KpJcQ
— Darnay Tripp (@DarnayTripp) August 12, 2016
Unsurprisingly, Harrison was thrilled when a package full of Jordan clothing and gear arrived to his doorstep, along with a letter and personal phone call from MJ, as well.
Jeffrey reading his letter from MJ. So amazing. pic.twitter.com/a8vUdpH64B
— Darnay Tripp (@DarnayTripp) August 12, 2016
The end of Jeffrey's phone call with Michael Jordan. I'll not soon forget this moment. pic.twitter.com/CCdcxMtDIZ
— Darnay Tripp (@DarnayTripp) August 12, 2016
More from Tripp of KREM 2 in Washington.
On Friday, Jordan sent Harrison two boxes of gear. There were shoes, t-shirts, shorts, sweats and many more. In the box Jordan wrote him a letter saying in part, “Continue to believe in yourself, play hard and always remember to enjoy the game.” Words of inspiration from the greatest basketball player of all time, written specifically to Harrison.
Harrison also got to talk to Jordan on the phone Friday. At the end of the conversation, Jordan said he was going to be watching for him and he hoped he enjoyed the things he sent him.
His mother Barbara Williams had kept it all a surprise and Jeffrey said he had no idea it was coming.
“I knew it was him. It kind of brought me to tears after I got off the phone so I figured this is really going to be nice. The fact that Michael Jordan took the time to call and put all this together. I love it, even the cologne even the sweats, I love it,” said Harrison.
Jordan is known as one of the great players in basketball history, but he’s an even better character off the court. This move just comes weeks after Jordan donated $5 million to the National Museum of African American History and Culture and also his $2 million in donations to different organizations and their efforts to end gun violence. These generous donation is one of many that’s come from Jordan since retiring from the game in 2003.
Thanks to MJ, Jeffrey Harrison now has more Jordan gear to sport when he heads to play pick-up games. Simply put, Harrison’s idol made his dreams come true. After all, that’s what the true All-Time Greats do.
