Nowadays, Michael Jordan only makes headlines because of the success of his NASCAR Cup Series team, 23XI Racing, which he co-owns with Denny Hamlin. Of course, there is also the endless GOAT debate, where his name and legacy are compared to LeBron James.
However, the news cycle recently took a refreshing turn after Jordan’s kind gesture toward one of his former teachers at Emsley A. Laney High School in Wilmington, North Carolina.
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The teacher, Ms. Etta, is currently a patient at Lower Cape Fear LifeCar, which is located in his hometown. And as she recounts her tales about Laney High School, she has repeatedly said she wanted to reconnect with the Chicago Bulls legend.
So, Jordan did what he could to make it happen. The non-profit hospice shared its unforgettable interaction on its social media.
“This is what hospice is about. It is about living as comfortably and fully as possible. It is about creating moments of connection, peace, laughter, and love,” the hospice wrote in the caption. “Sometimes those moments are quiet. Sometimes they are unforgettable. And sometimes… they even involve the GOAT.”
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Jordan Facetimed Ms. Etta
According to the post, Ms. Etta served as the Transportation Coordinator at the time Jordan was dominating his teen foes on the court. He spent four years at Laney High, graduating in 1981.
The post did not detail the extent of their closeness, but it seemed that the number of years was enough for Ms. Etta to form lasting memories with the rising basketball star. The hospice revealed that he was among the students she “knew well” from her days at Lane High.
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“As she reflected on favorite memories from her time at Laney, one name kept coming up,” the post said.
Apparently, Ms. Etta, whose condition was not revealed in the post, had formed a “special bucket list,” which includes one wish specifically tied to Jordan: “to hug Michael’s neck one more time.” Wendy, a social worker at the hospice, was trying to connect with Jordan for a long time. Then an unknown number called back Wendy, asking if it was Ms. Etta on the other line.
“It was Michael Jordan,” the post revealed. “Wendy was home during this early evening, but she jumped in her car and drove to Ms. Etta’s so they could FaceTime.”
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Although this was technically not Ms. Etta’s wish, their call was enough to fill her heart with joy.
“They laughed, reminisced, picked at each other, and shared a moment that brought tears to everyone in the room. A memory her family will carry with them forever,” the post described.
Jordan still gives back
Jordan famously failed to make his high school team because he was too short. He was only 5’8” at the time. His mother, Deloris, advised her son to just go through the grind, which he heeded, ultimately working his way to the team.
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From there, Jordan never looked back. He was part of the 1981 McDonald’s All-American Team. Then, he starred for the University of North Carolina Tar Heels before entering the NBA in 1984.
Throughout his 15-year Hall of Fame career, he won six championships with the Bulls, along with six Finals MVPs, and five regular-season MVPs.
But before all of that, Jordan was once just Ms. Etta’s student. They were finally able to reconnect through FaceTime, though her wish for a hug remains.
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He remains active in giving back to his community in Wilmington and Laney High, to which he donated over $1 million in 2019, supporting its athletic department and academics.
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on May 17, 2026, where it first appeared in the Off The Court section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.