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Michael Jordan was forced to miss Chicago Blackhawks legend Chris Chelios’ jersey retirement ceremony on Sunday due to a death in the family.
A month after Jordan bizarrely sat out the Bulls’ Ring of Honor ceremony at the United Center due to friction with former teammate Scottie Pippen, he was scheduled to return to the court to express his respect for his old friend Chelios. support.
The two have developed a close relationship during their respective playing days in Chicago, which means the basketball great plans to watch his famous Blackhawks No. 7 jersey be retired this weekend.
However according to NBC reporter Charlie RumeriotisJordan was forced to skip Chelios’ ceremony after announcing he was currently dealing with a death in his family.
The Bulls icon sent a video message to his close friends that night, in which he revealed why he was missing out on the golf course.
It is unclear which member of the Jordan family died.
Chelios revealed during an interview on WSCR-AM 670’s “Mully and Haugh Show” last week that the former Bulls star will attend his jersey retirement ceremony.
“I’m going to have them try to bring in all the people that have had an impact on me, and obviously (Jordan) was a big part of me in the ’90s,” he said.
“They’re going to be here to support me. I’ve got a really good Rolodex over my career, so I’m loading it up. This is one last hurray and I’m going to make it better.
Chelios, dressed all in black and surrounded by family, friends and former teammates, blew a kiss to the cheering crowd after being introduced.
Fans greeted the Chicago native with chants of “Celli!” Cherry! And now the Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings are watching from the bench.
“As a kid growing up in Chicago, I didn’t have any expectations of being a professional hockey player,” he said. ‘That was just the situation. …I play it because I love it. That’s it.
Chelios, 62, played for his hometown team from 1990 until being traded to Detroit in March 1999. He scored 92 goals and had 395 assists in 664 regular season games with the Blackhawks. He remains the team’s career leader in penalty minutes with 1,495.
Unlike Jordan, former Bulls small forward Dennis Rodman attended the Chelios ceremony at the United Center on Sunday.