President Obama calls Michael Jordan 'more than just an internet meme'

President Obama calls Michael Jordan 'more than just an internet meme'

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

Michael Jordan received the Presidential Medal of Freedom on Tuesday, and during the ceremony, President Obama clarified that MJ was “more than just an internet meme.”

It’s mind blowing to think that there are totally some eight year olds out there with Twitter accounts who have no idea who Jordan the basketball player was. Those people definitely exist. Bless them.

Jordan, the Chicago Bulls legend and Charlotte Hornets owner, was among 21 recipients of the medal, regarded as the highest civilian honor that American can bestow upon its citizens. The award is presented to individuals “who have made especially meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.”

ADVERTISEMENT

What do you do when such a thing happens to you?

Cry, of course.

Jordan, 53, is regarded as one of the greatest athletes and by many as the greatest basketball player ever, winning six titles with the Chicago Bulls and five MVP awards, among many other accolades.

But he will also definitely always be a meme.

This article originally appeared on

share