The tragic death of his father in 1993 almost ended Jordan’s career, if he hadn’t had the extraordinary strength and determination to return to the NBA.

If we divide Michael Jordan’s career into two stages, the first stage is the image of a fulfilled superstar, and the second stage is the image of a warrior who rose to become a legend.

Michael Jordan with his parents when he first joined the NBA. Photo: AP .

Michael was born and raised in a well-to-do family in one of the wealthiest neighborhoods of Brooklyn, New York. His mother, Deloris, was a bank clerk. His father, James Jordan, was a monitoring equipment specialist.

Michael has two brothers, an older sister, and a younger sister. One of Michael’s brothers became a regimental commander in a US Air Force regiment. The others are well educated and have stable jobs. But Michael is the special member of the family.

Michael showed his talent for basketball early on and was supported by his father. James, despite his love of baseball, would spend several hours a day taking his son to basketball games. He was also the one who encouraged Michael when he was criticized for being too short on the Laney High School team. At that time, Michael was still undecided between choosing basketball, football or baseball as a career.

When Michael was selected by the Chicago Bulls in the 1984 NBA Draft, James cried tears of joy, knowing how hard his son had worked to earn a degree from the University of North Carolina while pursuing a basketball career. In return, Michael did not disappoint his father. America still remembers the photo of Michael and James Jordan hugging each other after winning their first NBA championship with the Chicago Bulls in 1991.

Jordan and his father celebrate after winning their first NBA championship in 1991. Photo: AP .

In the following two consecutive seasons, Michael was not only the brightest star in the NBA, but also the number one symbol of American sports, with two more championships. But perhaps even in his worst nightmare, Michael did not expect that the 1993 NBA trophy would be the last time he would share joy with his beloved father.

Because, then came a tragedy…

In late July 1993, on his way back from a friend’s funeral, James went missing. His family initially thought he was visiting friends in the area, so they did not report it to the police. Michael was practicing with his Chicago Bulls teammates before the new season.

In early August, police found James’s body near a swamp in the woods. The body had already begun to decompose, making identification difficult. Three days later, authorities were forced to cremate the body, before Michael received the DNA test results that confirmed it was his father.

Construction worker Hal Locklear discovered the body of James Jordan in a wooded area nearly 125 miles south of Charlotte. Photo: Highsnobiety .

The two perpetrators of Mr. James’s crimes were later caught by the law. When they were arrested, they were still holding the NBA championship hat and two rings that Michael gave his father as souvenirs.

The summer of 1993 was the biggest tragedy of Michael’s life. He completely avoided the media, did not speak to reporters, did not even appear in court for the trial. His two brothers took over the difficult work for Michael. Michael withdrew, completely collapsed and made a decision that shocked the whole of America.

On October 6, 1993, the NBA’s number one star announced his retirement from basketball to pursue a career in baseball, his father’s favorite sport. Not long after, Michael played for the Chicago White Sox and Birmingham Barons. At this time, the Chicago Bulls decided to permanently retire his number 23 jersey as a gesture of gratitude and deep condolences.

But Michael’s love and passion for basketball didn’t stop there.

Exactly one year after leaving the NBA, Michael overcame the biggest psychological shock of his life, and also one of the biggest tragedies in NBA history. He decided to return, signed a second contract with the Chicago Bulls and immediately played a key role in the team’s three consecutive championships from 1996-1998.

When the Chicago Bulls won the NBA championship in 1996, on Father’s Day, Michael refused to join his teammates in celebrating. He quickly went to the locker room and rolled on the floor, crying for his ill-fated father. To this day, this remains one of the most touching and heartbreaking images in NBA history.

Michael fell to the floor and cried for his father, after winning the championship in 1996.

Michael then continued his excellent form to extend his career until the age of 40 with the Washington Wizards. The number one icon of American sports closed out nearly 20 years of professional competition in the NBA in the most perfect way.

Michael Jordan’s comeback story remains an inspiration to many athletes. Tragedy in personal life can happen to anyone, but for NBA stars, it is much more difficult because they have to shoulder the pressure of expectations, achievements and huge salaries received each year.

The history of the league has proven that not everyone can do miracles like Michael Jordan did. His great image is clearly not built only by shooting baskets or NBA trophies.