Remembering the Day Michael Jordan Wore No. 12
Michael Jordan is synonymous with the No. 23. Throughout his legendary career, he donned the iconic number for the majority of his games, becoming a symbol of greatness and dominance in the world of basketball. However, there was one peculiar game 34 years ago today when Jordan took the court wearing a different number – No. 12.
It was February 14, 1990, and the Chicago Bulls were set to face the Orlando Magic. As the team prepared for the game, they discovered that someone had stolen Jordan’s No. 23 jersey, leaving them without a backup for their star player. Bulls staffers frantically searched the crowd for a No. 23 kit that would fit the 6-foot-6 Jordan, but their efforts were in vain.
With no other options available, Jordan was left with no choice but to wear a No. 12 jersey without a name on the back. The incident caused quite a stir, with fans and media speculating on who could have stolen the jersey. Bulls’ equipment manager and director of team operations, Rodney “Sid” Powell, revealed that there were accusations against Magic personnel, cleaning crews, and anyone working in the building that day.
Days later, the truth behind the jersey theft came to light. Security informed the team that one of their personnel had devised a plan to acquire the jersey. This individual had gone through another locker room, climbed over the ceilings, and entered through a ceiling tile to grab the jersey. They then placed it back in the ceiling, intending to retrieve it later, thinking no one would suspect foul play.
The jersey swap didn’t seem to faze Jordan. Despite the unusual circumstances, he put on a show for the fans, scoring an impressive 49 points on 21-of-43 shooting. However, the Bulls ultimately fell short, losing to the Orlando Magic 135-129 in overtime.
Reflecting on the incident, Jordan expressed his frustration, stating, “It’s pretty irritating because you’re accustomed to certain things, and you don’t like to have things misplaced.” It was a rare moment in his illustrious career, showcasing the lengths people would go to get their hands on a piece of basketball history.
Today, the story of Michael Jordan’s game wearing No. 12 serves as a reminder of the impact he had on the sport and the lengths people would go to witness his greatness. It’s a testament to his enduring legacy and the mystique that surrounds one of the greatest players to ever grace the basketball court.
