Michael Jordan Expected to Make Rare Appearance in Chicago for NHL Star Chris Chelios’ Jersey Retirement
Jordan and Chelios became close friends when the NBA and NHL stars both played in Chicago throughout the 1990s
Michael Jordan is expected to return to Chicago on Sunday for a rare appearance in the city where he became a sports legend, winning six NBA Championships during the 1990s.
Jordan, 61, is expected to be at the United Center in order to attend his longtime friend Chris Chelios’ jersey retirement ceremony, which takes place before the Chicago Blackhawks’ game against the Detroit Red Wings on Sunday afternoon.
Chelios, 62, played for both the Blackhawks and the Red Wings throughout his hall of fame career. He was with Chicago from 1990-99 when Jordan and the Bulls won their six NBA titles, and met the NBA superstar soon after he joined the Blackhawks in a trade from the Montreal Canadiens.
The retired Blackhawks star told local sports radio station WSCR-AM 670 on Wednesday that several former teammates and friends, including Jordan, are expected to be there for the event, The Chicago Tribune reported.
“I’m going to have them try to bring everybody I possibly can that’s had an impact on me and obviously [Jordan] was a big part of my ’90s,” Chelios said during an interview on the radio station, according to the Tribune.
“They’re going to be here to support me, “ Chelios added. “I got a pretty good Rolodex over the span of my career so I’m loading up. This is a last hurrah, and I’m going to make it a good one.”
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Jordan’s presence would make for a remarkable appearance after the NBA star was not even present at a Bulls Ring of Honor ceremony last month, which largely celebrated the Bulls’ dynasty from the ‘90s.
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Jordan instead sent a video message to be played at the ceremony, telling fans a scheduling issue got in the way.
“I am so bummed that I can’t be there tonight but I don’t want that to stop the fun that you guys are going to have,” Jordan said in the video. “I think we made an impression and changed what Chicago represents in terms of champions. Every time you look up in the rafters, I want you always to remember where we were and where we are. And we are always going to be champions.”
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In that message, Jordan told fans: “I will always be a Chicago Bull and I want them to continually do well. I’d like to see other banners in the rafters and I hope the city can always be proud of the Chicago Bulls.”
Jordan retired from basketball for a final time in 2003 after 15 NBA seasons.
In 2010, he purchased the Charlotte Hornets and led the franchise for 13 seasons until selling the team last August. The Hornets sale raised Jordan’s net worth to an estimated $3 billion, the highest ever for an athlete, according to Forbes.
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