Analysis by Steven Poole, for CNN
While regarded by many as the greatest basketball player of all time, Michael Jordan’s reticence to speak on issues of social or political importance has always seemed to be a surprising misstep – his one shot that appeared to fall far wide of the basket.
One year after the critically acclaimed docuseries “The Last Dance” brought a renewed focus on Jordan’s career, hindsight and the pivotal events of 2020 may offer insight into why he played it that way.
After the murder of George Floyd, many current and former NBA players were prominent in protesting against racial injustice and voter suppression; Jordan, alongside Nike’s Jordan brand, pledged $100 million over 10 years to organizations dedicated to promoting social justice.
