Michael Jordan nearly destroyed his legacy after having a $57000 debt to a notorious criminal

Michael Jordan is known to be a big-time gambler. In 1992, he very nearly caused harm to his superstar NBA career by issuing a $57,000 check to a notorious criminal.

When “His Airness” and James “Slim” Bouler were originally asked about the purpose of the money, both answered that it was a loan. Jordan supposedly gave the money to Bouler for the construction of a golf driving range.

MJ, however, sang a different tune when he was ultimately subpoenaed to testify in Bouler’s drug and money-laundering trial.

Here’s what Jordan had to say about the money a few days before he was set to appear in court (Chicago Sun-Times):

"I was caught off guard by the question (of what the money was for), and I was too ashamed of what I had done. But when I realized my mistake and discovered the background of the people I had been with, I told the truth and offered a public apology. That's what I'm going to say in court. I'm going to tell the truth."

Michael Jordan informed NBA officials and federal authorities in a secure meeting that he used the money to pay gambling debts.

The report continued:

“Jordan lost the money playing poker, dice and golf in October 1991 while his Chicago Bulls teammates were visiting the White House, receiving congratulations from President Bush for winning their first NBA title."

In a press conference, Michael Jordan publicly apologized and called it “the biggest and most embarrassing mistake of my life.”

James Jordan, MJ’s late father, defended his son and said this to reporters after the NBA superstar appeared in the trial:

“Michael is human, just like everybody else. What he did in private is not anything to be ashamed of. People are going to make of it what they want to.

“But what people must realize is that he’s just like every other guy that walks the street. There was only one perfect person that I ever heard talked about, and that’s God. Michael is not God.”

The NBA’s biggest star in the ‘90s wasn’t under criminal investigation. He was, however, reprimanded by the league and advised to be careful in dealing with “unsavory characters.”

Here's the full Chicago Sun-Times report

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Michael Jordan insisted he didn’t have a gambling problem

Despite reports of all-night gambling sessions, Michael Jordan has never admitted he has a gambling problem.

Here’s what the former Chicago Bulls guard had to say to Connie Chung about his "gambling troubles:"

(10:08)

“No! No, because I can stop gambling. I have a competition problem. I have a competitive problem.”

He also told the reporter what the James Bouler incident meant to him:

(7:20 mark)

“The turning point was the gambling. I illustrated that ‘Hey, I made a mistake. … Can I give up gambling? Oh sure! If it affects my life or the way I play the game or jeopardize my family or my financial status or the security of my family. I’d give it up any minute. Whatever I have lost, I have always given it back to my wife.

Michael Jordan also swore that he never bet on NBA games, particularly his own.

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