Michael Jordan’s famous athleticism and trash talk haven’t faded with age.
Former NHL defenseman Ryan Whitney is co-host of the Barstool Sports podcast “Spitin’ Chiclets” with Paul Bissonnette and guest Justin Thomas During a golf game, he told the story of being ruthlessly intimidated by Jordan.
“He didn’t say a word to me,” Whitney began. “We got to No. 17, which was the 35th hole of the day, a par-5, and I hit two on (the green). “He died. “
However, Jordan made birdie and Whitney missed her birdie putt.
“The first thing he said all day was, ‘Yeah, bitch,'” Whitney recalled.
“Then we go to the 36th hole. I finished the last hole. Press again and that hole is gone. He’s like, ‘A scratched golfer… you can’t scratch me.’ Wife’s ass. I just left. I just paid him 10 grand and left. I felt so big (fingers apart tightly). He kept singing a rap tune and saying his name in the song. I was like, ‘What planet am I on now?'”
Whitney played for the Penguins, Ducks, Oilers and Panthers during his NHL career from 2005-14.
Jordan was known for trash-talking throughout his career — whether it was opponents like Knicks great Patrick Ewing or his own teammates.
“He’s a jerk,” former Bulls center Will Perdue said on ESPN’s “The Last Dance.”
“He’s an asshole. “I’ve crossed that line multiple times. “
“People were afraid of him,” Judd Buechler added. “We are his teammates and we are afraid of him. There is only fear in our hearts.”
In recent years, professional golfer Ricky Fowler has also recounted stories of Jordan trash-talking savagely on the golf course.
“I was 7 under through 17 holes and lost,” Fowler said of a match against Jordan in 2021, “and he wasn’t quiet about it.”