Why did Michael Jordan retire twice before finally stepping away from the game in 2003, and how old was he at that time?
Michael Jordan, one of the greatest players in NBA history, had a remarkable career that spanned 15 seasons. He achieved unparalleled success with the Chicago Bulls, winning everything there was to win. Throughout his illustrious career, Jordan made the decision to retire not once, but twice. The first retirement came in 1993, followed by another in 1999, before ultimately calling it quits in 2003.
During his time in the NBA, Jordan secured six Championships with the Chicago Bulls, earning the title of Finals MVP each time. His most remarkable achievement was winning two consecutive three-peats, from 1991-1993 and 1996-1998, a feat that remains unparalleled.
Jordan’s career was marked by consistency, as he missed only 7 games during his 12-year tenure with the Bulls, aside from a season marred by injury. So why did he choose to retire twice before finally bidding farewell to the game in 2003, and how old was he at that time?
In 1993, at the age of 30, Michael Jordan shocked the world by abruptly retiring from basketball. This decision came immediately after he completed his three-peat of NBA titles with the Chicago Bulls. Following his departure from the NBA, Jordan pursued a career in minor league baseball for approximately a year before making his iconic return to the Bulls in 1995. He then went on to achieve another legendary three-peat of titles, solidifying his status as arguably the greatest player of all time.
Jordan’s second retirement from professional basketball occurred in 1999, when he was 36 years old. However, his story did not end there. In 2001, Jordan felt the pull of basketball once again and made a brief comeback with the Washington Wizards. Despite his age, he played in all 82 games during the 2002-2003 season. Finally, at the age of 40, Michael Jordan bid his final farewell to professional basketball in March 2003, bringing an end to his extraordinary career.
Following his retirement, Jordan has been involved in various business and sporting ventures. His partnership with Nike, which introduced the iconic Air Jordan brand, remains immensely popular to this day. As the first NBA legend to achieve billionaire status, Jordan has become a global icon and an inspiration to aspiring basketball players worldwide. Even after stepping away from the game, he continues to invest in and collaborate with renowned brands and projects.
Today, Michael Jordan resides in Jupiter, Florida, with his wife and their twin daughters.
According to the Source firstsportz.com