Michael Jordan Gave That Cosplaying Superfan Pickup Player Some New Gear And A Phone Call

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Back in early July, video surfaced of a man decked out in a full Michael Jordan gear, tearing it up in a pickup game. Understandably, the Internet loved it. The unidentified man went through great lengths to emulate the guy that was clearly his hero, rocking the full shorts and jersey combo, the bald head, the mustache, the sleeve on the leg, the wrist band and of course the shoes. It was amazing.

As it turns out, that man is Jeffrey Harrison, a 33-year-old Jordan enthusiast from Pasco, WA. Harrison, who is autistic, has been a Jordan fan since he was four years old, and has been hooping in his Jordan uniform since 2010. The reaction to his choice of outfit at pickup games has not always been kind to Harrison, both in person and online, but he has continued wearing the homage to his hero, undeterred.

Eventually, with the help of KREM 2 reporter Darnay Tripp, Jordan got wind of the story an did something incredible. MJ reached out to Harrison’s family and not only sent him a few boxes stuffed with Jordan Brand gear and shoes, but he also wrote him a letter and gave him a phone call. “Continue to believe in yourself,” Mike said in the letter. “Play hard and always remember to enjoy the game.”

KREM was on hand to capture the magical moment when Harrison gleefully spoke to Jordan over the phone.

It’s an remarkable ending to a rather innocuous story that started off as a meme and ended up being so much more.