Only one person in the world has been roommates with O.J. Simpson and a trusted confidant of Michael Jordan.
Ahmad Rashad was also the No. 4 overall pick of the 1972 NFL Draft and played in an NBA game on a team led by Charles Barkley.
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Michael Jordan and Ahmad Rashad watched Paris Saint-Germain together in 2018Credit: Getty
Rashad was far ahead of the TV personality and social influencer game, with his fame peaking in the 1990s as NBA superstars including Magic Johnson, Larry Bird and Air Jordan lifted the league to new heights.
Thanks to the reach of NBA Inside Stuff on NBC, Rashad became familiar to sports fans across the globe.
“NBC had not been doing basketball then,” Rashad said on the Rich Eisen Show in 2020.
“All of a sudden, we got the franchise to do basketball and the guy that they sort of put in from NBC to put in place at the NBA was me.
“We were trying to do things to show that we were knowledgeable about basketball.”
Rashad was soon following the legendary USA basketball Dream Team in the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, and pressing MJ on which NBA superstar would take the final shot at the end of a tight contest.
“Game on the line, who would take the last shot?” Rashad asked Jordan, who was in his athletic prime in ’92.
“Me,” replied Jordan, while wearing golf clothes and holding a bag filled with clubs.
“That’s a dumb question. Me.”
That unfiltered response provided a rare behind-the-scenes view of MJ that fans loved.
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Rashad, left, took center stage with a young LeBron James and Kid RockCredit: instagram@the_ahmad_rashad
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Rashad become associated with the NBA during a time of growth for the leagueCredit: Getty
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But he was first an NFL star and was pictured with the Minnesota Vikings in 1982Credit: Getty
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A classic Rashad interaction with Air Jordan at his NBA peakCredit: youtube@GreatsPlayHere LLC
“Love the confidence,” one fan tweeted. “That is why this man is the GOAT. Nothing against LeBron (James) but if it was him he’d say, ‘We’ll have to play it smart,’ and whatever.”
“Bro I searched for it and found it,” a second fan posted. “The GOATest response from a basketball player ever. And S/O to Ahmad Rashad — also a fellow GOAT.”
Born in Portland, Oregon in 1949, Rashad — who changed his name from Robert Earl Moore –was recruited as a young football star and chose the nearby Oregon Ducks.
He became an All-American in college, totaling 2,306 rushing yards, 1,565 receiving yards and 36 touchdowns as a multi-purpose offensive weapon.
‘Bobby Moore’ then joined the St. Louis Cardinals in a 1972 NFL Draft that featured future Hall of Famers Cliff Branch and Franco Harris.
Rashad played 10 seasons in the NFL, bouncing from the Cardinals to the Buffalo Bills and Minnesota Vikings.
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He made four Pro Bowls, collected 6,831 receiving yards and 44 touchdowns, recovered seven fumbles, and totaled 437 kickoff return yards.
That all-around game contributed to Rashad’s inside access as the NBA exploded in popularity in the 1990s.
The charismatic NFL star — who was friends with Simpson during the former running back’s record-setting days with the Bills — soon became trusted by the world’s best basketball players.
But Rashad was also reminded by Jordan not to go too far with his unique access.
When the NBA insider tried to introduce other players to Air Jordan, a stern rebuke followed.
“(I would say), ‘Hey, Michael is right over here,’ ” Rashad later recalled.
“(Jordan) said, ‘Man, don’t ever do that anymore. I don’t want to talk to that dude.’ “
Rashad also covered the NFL and MLB on TV, but was primarily associated with NBA coverage that stretched for two decades.
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Rashad spent time with MLB Hall of Famer Derek Jeter and rapper Jay-ZCredit: instagram@the_ahmad_rashad
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A young Shaquille O’Neal broke a backboard while overpowering RashadCredit: facebook@Ballislife
He then moved into reality TV and game shows, while once filling in as a host on Entertainment Tonight.
A stay at the Golf Channel ended with a roster change in 2013, and Rashad transitioned to work with the New York Knicks’ digital team.
‘A Conversation with Tom Thibodeau – New York Legacies with Ahmad Rashad,’ was posted to the team’s YouTube channel in 2023 and featured Rashad conducting a sit-down interview with the former Knicks head coach.
Interviews with Mikal Bridges, Karl-Anthony Towns, Jalen Brunson and Stephon Marbury have also been posted, as the 75-year-old Rashad has maintained his close ties with the NBA world.
“This is a great interview,” a fan commented, after Rashad held an extended chat with Marbury.
The NBA is set to renew its relationship with NBC for the upcoming 2025-26 season, and there’s a possibility that NBA Inside Stuff could return in a new format.
Ahead of the curve
Ahmad Rashad
Age: 75
Born: Portland, Oregon
College: Oregon
NFL Draft: No. 4 overall pick in 1972
NFL career: 495 catches, 5,489 yards, 44 TD, four Pro Bowls
TV: NBA Inside Stuff on NBC
Did you know? Rashad briefly played in an NBA preseason game with a Philadelphia 76ers team featuring Charles Barkley.
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Rashad stood close to Jordan during the peak of the NBA GOATCredit: youtube@SQUADawkins
Jordan will join NBC Sports as a special contributor, while the network will be carrying NBA coverage after a 23-year absence.
NBC held NBA rights from 1990-2002, and televised all six of Jordan’s world championships with the Chicago Bulls.
“I am so excited to see the NBA back on NBC,” Jordan.
“The NBA on NBC was a meaningful part of my career, and I’m excited about being a special contributor to the project. I’m looking forward to seeing you all when the NBA on NBC launches this October.”
Game 5 of the 2025 NBA Finals between Tyrese Haliburton‘s Indiana Pacers and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander‘s Oklahoma City Thunder is Monday at Paycom Center.