Michael Jordan Refers To Dean Smith As His ‘Second Father’ In This Touching Statement

Michael Jordan and Dean Smith
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Here’s Michael Jordan on the death of Dean Smith:

“Other than my parents, no one had a bigger influence on my life than Coach Smith. He was more than a coach – he was my mentor, my teacher, my second father. Coach was always there for me whenver I needed him and I love him for it. In teaching me the game of basketball, he taught me about life. My heart goes out to Linnea and their kids. We’ve lost a great man who had an incredible impact on players, his staff and the entire UNC family.”

Michael Jordan played for Dean Smith from 1981-1984, winning a national championship in 1982. Time and time again Jordan has credited Smith for making him the player and person he is today. Here is the recruiting letter Smith sent to Jordan in 1980.

A wonderful friendship that lasted three and a half decades.

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