Michael Jordan hasn’t played professional basketball in over two decades, but the competitive fire that defined his career still burns.
That much became clear during his recent appearance on NBC’s MJ: Insights to Excellence, where the six-time NBA champion opened up about life after basketball, and the rare moment he picked up a ball again.
“I wish I could take a magic pill, put on shorts and go out and play the game of basketball today because that’s who I am. That type of competition… competitiveness… is what I live for. And I miss it,” Jordan said during the interview with Mike Tirico.
The quote resonated with fans worldwide. But what followed made it unforgettable.
Shortly after the interview aired, a video surfaced showing Jordan attempting a free throw during a private moment at a rented house in Long Island during the Ryder Cup. According to Jordan, the homeowner asked him to shoot a free throw in front of his grandkids. What seemed like a casual request turned into a moment of unexpected pressure.
“I hadn’t picked up a basketball in years,” Jordan admitted. “And suddenly I’m standing there, and I feel nervous. Like, really nervous.”
The clip shows Jordan lining up at the free-throw line, dribbling once, and launching the shot. It rattles in, barely. The crowd of onlookers erupts in laughter and applause, while Jordan grins and shakes his head.
Here’s the footage of Michael Jordan shooting a free throw in front of kids in which he described it as “the most nervous” he had been in years 🐐🏀pic.twitter.com/THxJ0vn3b1 https://t.co/7ZhFupAm4S
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) October 23, 2025
Jordan’s new series on NBC and Peacock is designed to explore elite performance across sports, business, and culture. But in its debut episode, the spotlight was squarely on him. From reflections on his competitive drive to stories of post-retirement life, Jordan offered rare insight into the mind behind the myth.
