Pele Disses Michael Jordan
The news that MJ decided not to go to Copenhagen to represent Chicago’s bid for the 2016 Olympics has been buried behind speculation over whether Obama will be attending. While Chicago 2016 supporters would all love Jordan to be there helping, we aren’t trying to use that to our political advantage. Pele, on the other hand, has no problem doing just that:
Although he declined to take a direct swipe at Michael Jordan, soccer great Pele made it clear he felt a national duty to represent Rio’s Olympic bid at the International Olympic Committee session that will choose the 2016 winner Friday.
“It is important to participate when your country needs you,” Pele said at a Rio press conference Wednesday morning.
He was responding to a question from Chicago television reporter Jay Levine about Jordan’s absence from the Chicago delegation in Copenhagen.“If I have to die for my country, I would die for my country,” Pele said. “If I have to die for my sport, I would die for my sport. I feel very happy if I can help my country.”
When Pele first mentioned Jordan, he called him “Michael Jackson.” After the laughter in the room died down, Pele joked, “Two Michaels” but did not call out Jordan, preferring to express his own commitment to Rio.
Two Michaels? I’m confused. There must be some kind of language barrier here. Although apparently the media got it. As much fanfare as there is surrounding who goes to Copenhagen to represent their City’s bid, you have to think this highly politicized decision would have been decided well in advance of the formalities involved in this Copenhagen trip. Also, no one is actually questioning Michael’s patriotism, right? The man was part of disseminating American culture around the world on a never-before-seen scale. Not to mention his 2 gold medals. Stupid Pele.
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Comments
Comment from Zoner
Time September 30, 2009 at 12:52 pm
Says Pele, the man that left his country to come to America to make money and play soccer here. WHatev
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Time September 30, 2009 at 3:05 pm
[...] Pele disses Michael Jordan [Not Qualified to Comment] [...]
Comment from Vivi
Time September 30, 2009 at 5:13 pm
As much as we’d like to believe it, the world does not revolve around the U.S. People in other countries do not often worship athletes to the extent that we do.
Comment from Zoner
Time September 30, 2009 at 6:47 pm
world not revolving around U.S & athlete worship= not mutually exclusive. And if you’re speaking about Pele, you picked a horrible example. They made movies about him and he’s like a king there.
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Time October 1, 2009 at 9:01 am
[...] Pele disses Michael Jordan. [NQTC] [...]
Comment from Truth Teller
Time October 2, 2009 at 9:48 am
@ Vivi. You must not travel much.
Comment from Chucho
Time October 2, 2009 at 11:01 am
lol. That was the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard anybody say Vivi, Pele is like the Pope of Brazil…. Pick up a book or even a soccer magazine!!
Comment from Chucho
Time October 2, 2009 at 11:18 am
although im a born and raised chicagoan and love MJ, I have to agree with nfn… lol.
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Time October 2, 2009 at 11:56 am
[...] Pele Disses Michael Jordan (Not Qualified To Comment) [...]
Comment from dan
Time October 2, 2009 at 2:08 pm
Perhaps two reasons, why MJ did not take the trip-
1) MJ has gambling problem, he might have a huge bet Rio was going to win
2) or he knows about Chicago corruption and drama and he smartly thought to distance himself to protect his image…
Comment from smokey
Time October 5, 2009 at 4:22 pm
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Comment from J. M
Time October 17, 2009 at 12:18 pm
Idiots!! No wonder u lost the bid!
Comment from sara lamphere
Time March 22, 2010 at 9:11 am
i like cheese
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Comment from nfn
Time September 30, 2009 at 10:32 am
i’m from chicago. michael jordan is my favorite athlete… but what the hell are you talking about. michael jordan didn’t “disseminate american culture” out of any sense of patriotism. he did it to disseminate michael jordan and make a buck. also “two michaels” isn’t that deep. there isn’t anything to get.