Michael Jordan had an extraordinary swagger on the basketball court. On the court, around his teammates, and even after his career, he was always confident in himself.
Even his bodyguard, John Wozniak, had a cool story.
It was recently told by The Athletic’s Matt Fortuna.
John Michael Wozniak was a decorated Chicago narcotics officer who worked security at the old Chicago Stadium. Jordan developed an affinity for him early in his career when, while parking Jordan’s SUV, Wozniak accidentally shattered the back windshield after failing to account for the spare tire hanging on the vehicle’s rear.
Wozniak apologized to Jordan for the damage, telling him that he had a newborn (Nicholi) at home but would pay for the repairs upon receiving his next paycheck. Jordan appreciated the honesty and made special requests for Wozniak’s presence afterward.
“Michael appreciated excellence in whatever it is you did,” Nicholi said, before speaking of his father. “He was a helluva cop and a helluva dad. He was hard as shit on us but would be humble enough to tell us, ‘Hey, I was wrong there.’ Or would say, ‘I’m sorry, I love you.’ He could be the most tender guy and then would just put the fear of God in us.”
Wozniak was the young buck of a group of narcotics officers who ended up working security for Jordan that included Gus Lett and Clarence Travis (“C.T.”), both of whom have since passed. (Travis is Nicholi’s godfather, and Nicholi’s middle name is Travis).
John Michael Wozniak was a decorated narcotics officer who won Michael Jordan over after damaging his car. He had two MJ tats. He was nicknamed Hollywood.
His son pictured him smiling Sunday as the world learned of his swagger, and his hair. https://t.co/8zaCiVNa7R #TheLastDance pic.twitter.com/pEZTeLtNWU
— Matt Fortuna (@Matt_Fortuna) May 4, 2020
The man who dethroned Michael Jordan backstage in a game of quarters? He was one of us. #TheLastDance 🏀 pic.twitter.com/8dyPPL1YQ1
— Chicago Police (@Chicago_Police) May 4, 2020
So, it’s a story of honesty, trust, and a good ole’ Chicago attitude. Seriously though, it’s an awesome story and just goes to show the types of guys Jordan wanted to surround himself with. Unfortunately, Mr. Wozniak passed away on January 18th at the age of 69. But he will always be remembered and beloved by those who knew him.
MJ’s manager recently sent out this heartwarming tweet featuring Wozniak doing the infamous Jordan “shrug” after beating his Airness in a game of quarters.
RIP John Michael Wozniak. He passed in January and I’m sure he has a front seat watching this from heaven! https://t.co/Vrftv1G5ly
— Estee Portnoy (@esteep) May 4, 2020
