A 63-year-old educator in Wilmington, North Carolina, had a lingering desire while in hospice care: to converse once more with her former student, basketball great and two-time Olympic gold medalist Michael Jordan.
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Shortly before he became an NCAA National Champion (1982) and Naismith College Player of the Year (1984), Jordan attended Emsley A.Laney High School in his hometown of Wilmington, North Carolina. Etta taught Jordan at Laney over four decades ago. Still, her memories of him remain vivid and fond.
While a patient at Lower Cape Fear LifeCare, Etta was surprised by a video call from the six-time NBA champion. The practice made several attempts to help reconnect Jordan and Etta in the past, but was unsuccessful.
Earlier this week, the former NBA MVP dialed back.
"Is this Ms. Etta?" the caller asked, per Wilmington local news WECT 6, noting that it was the billionaire athlete on the line.
However, it was Wendy, a LifeCare social worker, who picked up the phone. Once the Basketball Hall of Famer confirmed his identity, Wendy, who was headed home, darted back to the facility. She then organized a video call between Etta and Jordan.
Jordan Reconnects With Former Teacher
"They laughed, reminisced, picked at each other, and shared a moment that brought tears to everyone in the room," the staff at Lower Cape Fear LifeCare told the outlet.
ESPN shared a photo of the touching reunion on the SportsCenter Instagram page.
"Such a special moment for them both," ESPN wrote.
Jordan, who has transitioned into NASCAR ownership since his basketball career heyday, has frequently done charitable acts in his hometown. In 2019, he donated over $1.1 million to the school. Half of which went to the athletic department, according to ABC's Wilmington affiliate.
Jordan has also funded the opening of several health clinics in the city, which is home to roughly 127,000 residents.
