Michael Jordan broke 'big' rule with $80m purchase after developing life-changing phobia

Michael Jordan is the definition of fearless, possessing an unrivalled mentality and belief which enabled him to achieve incredible things on and off the court.

He produced a masterclass in the classic 'Flu Game' when suffering from food poisoning in game five of the 1997 NBA finals, finished with 38 points in 44 minutes against the Utah Jazz,

But as a youngster, the six-time world champion was massively affected by two traumatic events that would change his life forever.

Aged seven, Jordan watched his friend lose his life after an accident in the sea. The Chicago Bulls icon held his companion's hand as tightly as he could but he could not compete with the current and had to make the difficult decision to release.

Recalling the tragedy to Playboy magazine in 1992, he said: “I went swimming with a very good friend one day, and we were having fun catching waves.

"At one point, the current was so strong that it swallowed him, and he grabbed onto me. It’s called 'the death lock' when someone can die. I practically had to break his hand, he was going to take me with him.”

Image: Getty

That ordeal was difficult enough for a young person to process but another distressing event witnessed by Jordan happened just four years later.

He had a drowning scare while at baseball camp at the age of 11 and then while at college, his girlfriend at the time drowned while everyone was away for vacation.

That led to Jordan suffering from hydrophobia, something he discussed openly in his autobiography 'For the Love of the Game: My Story'.

He had a drowning scare while at baseball camp at the age of 11 and then while at college, his girlfriend at the time drowned while everyone was away for vacation.

That led to Jordan suffering from hydrophobia, something he discussed openly in his autobiography 'For the Love of the Game: My Story'.

"I'm not going in the water anymore," he declared.

"Everyone has a phobia about something. I stay away from water."

However, it appears as though the 61-year-old was able to overcome his fear and he owns an incredible super yacht which is worth a staggering $80 million dollars.

Image: Getty

Still, he does have some reservations, adding: “Only big ones [boats], not small ones, and I need a life jacket.”

Topics: Michael Jordan, NBA, Basketball

Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

@joshlawless_