Even before he turned pro, basketball superstar Michael Jordan had an idea of what his retirement life would be like, and that included playing many rounds of golf.
Interviewed by Polish magazine magic basketball In 1997, Jordan, then 34, was asked what he would do when he was 40.
His reply, translated as follows:
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“He plays golf every day. He manages all his business affairs. If my children choose a career in sports, I will be as involved as possible. I also dream of living a partially normal life. Live stream in your home and enjoy some Peace. Just a little bit, because I know I’ll never be able to live a normal life in peace.”
“I hope people’s interest in me will subside a little bit and I’ll be able to travel, show up here and there, be private in different places,” he added. “I’m certainly not stepping away from public life, if only because I’ve got an advertising contract for years to come. But most importantly, the game of golf every day.”
As fate would have it, Jordan retired for the final time at the age of 40 after spending his final two seasons with the Washington Wizards, where he was already part-owner and president of basketball operations.
I had retired twice before this. First in 1993 after winning his third consecutive NBA championship with the Chicago Bulls, and then in 1998 after the Bulls’ second three-peat.
To this day, golf remains a part of Jordan’s life. The 60-year-old recently sold his majority stake in the Charlotte Hornets, ending his 13-year coaching career as the team’s owner. However, none of his adult children found success in professional sports.
Michael Jordan’s Washington Wizards Career
Although Michael Jordan was late in his career with the Washington Wizards, he remained consistent despite his advanced age.
In two seasons in the Capitol, he averaged 21.2 points, 5.9 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.5 steals in 142 games.
One of the highlights of his time with the Wizards was scoring 51 points in the Wizards’ 107-90 victory over the Charlotte Hornets in December 2001. In that game, he scored 21 points on 38 shots and made 9 of 10 free throws.
Check out the game highlights below:
His 51 points were one of eight times Jordan scored 40 or more points during his time with the Wizards.