Michael Jordan recently shared an emotional moment with one of his former high school teachers in his hometown of Wilmington, North Carolina.
According to staff at Lower Cape Fear LifeCare, Jordan surprised his former teacher, Ms. Etta, with a video call while she was receiving hospice care. The touching reunion came after Ms. Etta repeatedly mentioned Jordan while reflecting on favorite memories from her years teaching at Laney High School.
Jordan, now 63, attended the school before becoming one of the most recognizable athletes in sports history.
Staff members at the hospice facility told Wilmington television station WECT 6 that social worker Wendy had been trying to contact Jordan after hearing Ms. Etta speak fondly about her former student. Eventually, Wendy received a call from an unknown number.
“Is this Ms. Etta?” the caller asked, according to the outlet.
The caller was Jordan himself.
Michael Jordan’s Surprise Video Call Brought Tears to the Room
Because Wendy was home when Jordan called, she immediately drove to visit Ms. Etta so the two could reconnect over FaceTime.
The emotional moment quickly became one the family and caregivers said they would never forget.
“They laughed, reminisced, picked at each other, and shared a moment that brought tears to everyone in the room,” staff members at Lower Cape Fear LifeCare told WECT 6.
Video shared by the station showed Ms. Etta smiling from her couch while speaking with Jordan, who appeared relaxed and cheerful during the call.
The story quickly spread online as fans reacted to Jordan taking time to reconnect with a former teacher who clearly played an important role in his life before his rise to global fame.
Jordan famously starred at Laney High School before moving on to the University of North Carolina and eventually becoming a six-time NBA champion with the Chicago Bulls.
Over the years, Jordan has largely maintained a private personal life despite remaining one of the most recognizable figures in sports history.
The 6-Time NBA Champion Once Said Muhammad Ali Was One of His Biggest Heroes
The emotional reunion with Ms. Etta also offered another reminder of Jordan’s appreciation for the people who shaped his life.
Jordan previously opened up about the athletes he admired growing up, especially boxing legend Muhammad Ali.
Jordan’s longtime friend and former Charlotte Hornets president Fred Whitfield recently discussed the topic during an appearance on “The JustIn Time Podcast.”
“The only person that I can think of is Muhammad Ali,” Whitfield said when asked who could make Jordan feel starstruck. “We went to, I think, four or five, maybe four Kentucky Derbies together. But Muhammad Ali is the only one that I think could really make Michael turn into a kid.”
Whitfield added that Jordan also idolized basketball star David Thompson during his younger years.
Jordan first met Ali before Game 1 of the 1997 NBA Finals between the Bulls and Utah Jazz. He later reflected on the significance of that moment.
“It was the first time I actually met him,” Jordan said, according to J.A. Adande. “He’s a legend, not only in the ring but for his international stance for a lot of different things.”
Jordan continued, “He’s passed on a lot of legacy, a lot of opportunities to myself and other players in professional ranks that we have decided to extend on. We are fingers, and he certainly is a hand. It’s always great to meet those type of people.”
When Ali died in 2016, Jordan also released a heartfelt public statement honoring the boxing icon.
“This is a sad day for me – and for the world,” Jordan said at the time. “Muhammad Ali was bigger than sports and larger than life.”
