Aside from basketball, one of Michael Jordan’s many hobbies was sports gambling.
He was known to be a gambling fanatic and would often go to the casino the night before a game to clear his mind and relax. Jordan is an avid gambler. There have been rumors in the past that he had gambling ties, but this was just speculation.
But when it comes to his bets, you still hope you don’t screw up. That’s what New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman learned before the 2015 Super Bowl.
“We’re in the 2014 Super Bowl (the Super Bowl was in 2015, but it was the 2014-15 season),” Edelman said on the “Games with Names” podcast. “The week before the Super Bowl, I took my family to dinner. When I rolled over, I saw Derek Jeter and Michael Jordan. I was like a superstar. I was about to play in the Super Bowl.
“I walked up and you could tell Jeter was a very charismatic guy, very warm. I said ‘Mr. Jeter, I’m Julian Edelman and I’m at the Super Bowl.'” I saw Jordan, he was a little stuck. Towards the end of the conversation, about five minutes later, I was about to leave, and Jordan walked up to me and he said, “Hey, kid, I’ve got a bunch of money on you.” Don’t screw it up. “
“That was the only thing he said to me.”
Classic Jordan. Fortunately, the Patriots defeated the Seattle Seahawks 28-24 in the Super Bowl.
If Jordan also bets on Edelman, they’ll likely pay off. Edelman caught nine passes for 109 yards and one touchdown. Tom Brady passed for 328 yards and four touchdowns.
Did Jordan’s words have an impact on Edelman’s performance? This is the question I want to know the answer to.