Michael Jordan is one of the most influential figures to emerge in the last 50 years. Jordan played in the NBA during the 80s and 90s. And his presence in that era has allowed it to become arguably the most heralded era in the history of the NBA.
Jordan’s amazing talent on the court made him a global icon, and he became one of the most followed figures in the world. Many people would try and get a glimpse of MJ wherever he went, whether it was on a basketball court, or any public appearance he would make.
His popularity was perhaps at its peak in 1996. He had just returned to the NBA, and was part of the movie ‘Space Jam’, which went on to become a box office success. Using this public success, Jordan used the opportunity to launch his own cologne that year.
In an interview to promote the cologne in 1996, Jordan sat down with MTV’s Daisy Fuentes. During the interview, she asked him what values he wants to pass on to his kids, perhaps something that his parents taught him when he was growing up (6:22 mark).
He responded that he wants his kids to be kind, normal, and treat everyone with respect. Regardless of the success one achieves, people will always need to be treated with a certain amount of respect.
“Try to be as normal and very respectful. No matter how big you get, no matter how successful you become, people are people. You’re human just like everybody else. And if you view yourself higher than the next man, really it’s not the correct way to approach either. If I ever have anything to pass down to my kids, that’s probably the simplest thing I would want them to understand. No matter where we live or how well we live, we’re still just as normal as everybody else.”
Jordan clearly wanted his children to value the importance of human kindness. While MJ’s reputation was very harsh during his career, his daughter recently revealed that he has gotten softer in retirement, and MJ’s granddaughter has him wrapped around her little finger.
Despite all the things people have said about Jordan, he knew the fundamental importance of treating everyone with respect. This is a lesson that we all should keep in mind, and pass on to the next generation.
