Jeffrey Harrison was just a normal dude playing some pick-up basketball on July 4th weekend and that's when he became viral. He showed up in full Michael Jordan gear. He had on a Chicago Bulls jersey, shorts, the head band, arm band, you name it. He is clearly dedicated to the game and he took some flak for it on social media.
RELATED: This man welt full MJ to play pick-up game
However, what people didn't know is that Harrison is an autistic man who just really loves the way Michael Jordan played and wants to emulate him in all facets of the game. Jordan heard about Harrison's plight and his love of the game and hooked him up with some incredible swag and a handwritten letter.
He not only gave Harrison some cool gear, but he truly made his dreams come true. From Darnay Tripp of KREM:
There was nothing unordinary that led to Jeffrey Harrison's sudden and unexpected fame. At least not to him. When he showed up in Coeur d'Alene on the 4th of July wearing what he normally does to play pickup basketball, his homage to the basketball icon caught the eye of a spectator and captured the attention of sports fans far and wide. Like many basketball fans, the 33-year-old Pasco native idolizes Jordan.
"He wakes up in the morning watches Michael Jordan videos, studies Michael Jordan moves," said Harrison's close friend Alfred Byrd. [...]
"They can laugh at him and say, 'Haha he's wearing old Michael Jordan clothes he's a wannabe,'" said Byrd. [...]
It is part of an obstacle [Harrison] and millions of others in the United States face on a daily basis. The obstacle is called autism. Byrd has known Harrison for 20 years and seen the challenges he faces. From not being able to have a job, to the criticism that comes when he is doing what he loves.
Harrison said people are not always nice and sometimes he gets frustrated. But, he is never defeated. He challenges the perception of who he is and what he is capable of both in life and in basketball.
"I am a good player, I always have fun playing basketball. I also take the game real seriously," said Harrison.
That's an incredible story and one that has one of the best and happiest endings I have ever read. Good on MJ for doing this and good for Harrison to keep pursuing his dream.
