There isn’t much Michael Jordan gets criticized for when it comes to what he did on the basketball court, but that’s not the case off it. Jordan came under fire for not doing enough for the Black community during his career, and that tag sort of sticks to him even today.
Comedian Godfrey takes issue with that, and he defended Jordan on the latest episode of his In Godfrey We Trust Podcast.
“People go Jordan didn’t do s***,” Godfrey said. “I go, Jordan do nothing for Black people? I go, first of all, not the truth. Jordan has free clinics for Black people, for underprivileged people in North Carolina. Free clinic. Jordan is the reason why Malcolm X was made. He gave money to Spike Lee.
“He gives money to filmmakers,” Godfrey continued. “… Jordan has done a lot of s*** for Black people. Period. Like in his own way. Just because he’s not bragging about it, it’s amazing.”
Jordan has, by now, opened four clinics for uninsured patients in North Carolina in partnership with Novant Health. Their goal is to bring comprehensive primary care to the most vulnerable communities.
Now, Godfrey saying Jordan is THE reason the Oscar-nominated 1992 Malcolm X film was made is a stretch. Spike Lee was looking for funds to complete the film and had reached out to many prominent African-Americans at the time. Jordan was one of those who contributed. Spike did let it slip during their conversation how much Magic Johnson had contributed, and the competitive Jordan made sure he gave more than him.
Jordan’s most notable financial contribution would come years later, though. In 2020, following George Floyd’s passing, it was announced that he and the Jordan Brand would donate $100 million over the next 10 years to organizations dedicated to ensuring racial equality, social justice, and greater access to education.
Going back a bit, Jordan made a $5 million donation to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture in 2016 and a $1 million donation to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. He has done a lot. As Godfrey mentioned, Jordan just doesn’t go around bragging about it. It’s something he spoke about during his 1992 interview with Playboy Magazine.
“I get criticized about not giving back to the community—well, that’s not true,” Jordan said, via Ball is life. “I do. I just don’t go out and try to seek publicity from it. I could hold a press conference on everything that I do for the black community. But I don’t choose to do that, so people are not aware of it.”
Jordan also made it very easy for people to throw those accusations at him with his infamous comments like “Republicans buy sneakers, too” in 1990. While you can argue whether it was fair or foul to criticize him during his playing career, it certainly isn’t right to do so now. This is a man who is more than doing his part.
