Nobody Knew Why This Homeless Man Talked About Playing With Jordan—Then MJ Walked Through the Door

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For years, people rushed past the homeless man sitting outside The Daily Grind Coffee Shop in downtown Chicago. They barely glanced at him as he told stories about playing basketball with Michael Jordan. Most dismissed him as just another street person making up tales for attention or spare change. Even when he described Jordan’s secret practice routines or the way he palmed a basketball like it was an orange, nobody stopped to listen.

Nobody, except 12-year-old Sarah Chen.

She didn’t know why she believed him when everyone else walked away. Maybe it was the way his eyes lit up when he talked about the game. Maybe it was how he knew details that weren’t in any book or documentary. Or maybe it was just that Sarah had always been good at seeing the truth in people. But she never imagined that her curiosity would uncover a 40-year-old mystery—one that would bring the greatest basketball player of all time to a small church court in Chicago, searching for the friend and mentor he had spent decades trying to find.

It all began one morning outside a coffee shop, with the stories of a homeless man that nobody believed.
Sarah first noticed Marcus Johnson on her way to the coffee shop with her mom. He sat on the sidewalk, an old Chicago Bulls cap on his head, faded so much it was nearly pink. Unlike other homeless people asking for money, Marcus told stories.
“You see, young man,” Marcus called out to a boy passing with his father, “I once played basketball with the greatest player of all time.”

The boy tugged at his dad’s sleeve. “Dad, he’s talking about Michael Jordan!”

“Keep walking, Tommy,” the father muttered, pulling his son along. “He’s just making up stories.”

Marcus didn’t seem bothered. He simply adjusted his cap and continued speaking, his voice carrying stories on the wind.

Sarah couldn’t stop thinking about him. The next morning, she convinced her mom to stop by again. This time, Marcus was speaking to a teenager wearing a Bulls jersey.

“Jordan’s hands were so big he could palm a basketball like it was an orange,” Marcus said, stretching his fingers wide. “But it wasn’t just the size—it was the control he had.”

“Sure, now,” Marcus chuckled. “But I’m talking about before the championships, before the fame. Back when he was just Michael—a rookie trying to prove himself. Did you know he used to dribble with weighted gloves? Said it made the ball feel lighter during games.”

Sarah’s eyes widened. She had never heard that before, and she had watched every Jordan documentary with her dad. That night, she searched through her father’s old basketball magazines but found no mention of weighted gloves. Could Marcus really be telling the truth?

The next morning, Sarah arrived at The Daily Grind early. She brought Marcus a blueberry muffin and asked, “Can you tell me more about when you played with Jordan?”

Marcus studied her. “You’re different from most people. Most don’t stop to listen.”

For the next fifteen minutes, Marcus spoke about empty gyms, early morning practices, and the way Jordan analyzed every detail of the game. Sarah recorded everything on her phone, hoping to prove Marcus wasn’t just making up stories.

Then, before she left, Marcus handed her an old photograph.

Sarah’s heart pounded as she examined it in the car. The photo showed a young Marcus, standing beside Michael Jordan in a North Carolina basketball uniform. Her hands trembled—this was proof. But if Marcus really had played with Jordan, why had he disappeared?
Determined to find answers, Sarah searched online for Marcus Johnson. After hours of research, she found an old newspaper article.
“Mom,” she whispered that evening, “Marcus was drafted by the Chicago Bulls in 1984.”

Her mother, a journalist for the Chicago Tribune, pulled up archive reports. The early headlines were promising—Marcus was a talented rookie. But then, in October 1984, tragedy struck.

“Sarah,” her mother said carefully, “Marcus’s wife and daughter were in a car accident on their way to his first preseason game. They didn’t survive.”

Marcus had played that night, not knowing what had happened. When he found out afterward, he disappeared. No one had seen him since.
The next morning, Sarah rushed to The Daily Grind, but Marcus was gone. She checked every day, hoping he’d return. Finally, four days later, she found his old Bulls cap resting against the wall, with a note underneath:
Dear Sarah, You remind me of my daughter. She was curious too. I’m sorry I ran, but you deserve the truth. Meet me at the old court behind St. Mary’s Church at 4:00 p.m. Bring your mom.

Sarah’s mother hesitated but agreed. At the church court, Marcus sat on a bench, looking cleaner and calmer than before. He showed them a photo of his wife and daughter.

“They were my whole world,” he whispered. “That night, I was so excited for my first game. Maria promised they’d be there. The roads were bad, but I didn’t tell them to stay home. I wanted them there.”

He wiped his eyes. “I played that whole game not knowing. Scored twelve points. Jordan gave me a high-five. Then, after the game, the police were waiting for me.”

Tears streamed down Sarah’s face.

“I couldn’t face it,” Marcus admitted. “So I ran. The only thing I kept were my memories of basketball, of playing with Michael. Those were the last happy moments I had.”

Sarah’s mom took a deep breath. “Marcus, we told someone about you. Someone who’s been looking for you.”

Before Marcus could react, a black SUV pulled up. Out stepped a tall, familiar figure.

Michael Jordan.

Marcus froze, his body tense as Jordan walked toward him.

“Forty years,” Jordan said, voice thick with emotion. “Forty years I’ve been looking for you.”

Marcus whispered, “I’m sorry, Michael.”

“You don’t owe me an apology,” Jordan said, stepping forward and pulling Marcus into a hug. “You owe yourself one.”

Marcus stiffened, then melted into the embrace, his shoulders shaking with quiet sobs.

“I should have known something was wrong when you missed practice,” Jordan murmured. “I tried to find you. I never stopped.”

Marcus wiped his eyes. “I didn’t deserve to be found.”

Jordan shook his head. “You were my mentor, Marcus. You taught me more about basketball in two months than I learned in my entire college career.”

Jordan pulled out a folded piece of paper. “This is a contract. The Bulls want you to coach their youth program. It’s time to stop running.”

Marcus hesitated. “I don’t know if I can.”

“You can,” Jordan insisted. “Because basketball isn’t just about talent. It’s about heart. And you’ve still got the best jump shot I’ve ever seen.”

Slowly, Marcus took the ball and released a perfect shot. Swish. Jordan grinned. “See? Told you.”

Three months later, Marcus stood in a Bulls practice facility, coaching young players. As Sarah watched, she heard him say, “Basketball isn’t just about winning. It’s about healing too.”

And somewhere in the back of the gym, Michael Jordan nodded in approval, knowing his old friend was finally home.

SAD NEWS: Patrick Mahomes suffers family tragedy days after Super Bowl 2025 defeat

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Just five days removed from the Super Bowl 2025, Patrick Mahomes’ grandfather, Randy Martin, has died.

Randi Mahomes, Patrick’s mother, broke the news on Instagram on Friday.

“Hard to find the words of holding my father’s hand as he goes to Heaven,” Randi wrote with the announcement. “I know he’s in a better place. I love you daddy. Well done, good and faithful servant!”

Patrick Mahomes on the sideline during Super Bowl 2025 on Feb. 9, 2025.Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Martin’s health had been on the decline for some time.

In September, Randi posted that “he is in the hospital and is not well,” and asked for prayers.

The specifics of his ailments were unclear.

Randi provided an update on her father’s health on Jan. 24, when she announced that Martin had entered hospice care.

“My dad is in hospice and I’m lost for words,” she said.

Martin was “hanging on” in hopes of seeing his grandson play in Super Bowl 2025 as the Chiefs went for a three-peat, Randi said just a few days before the game.

Randi Mahomes announced her father passed away.RandiMahomes/Instagram

Mahomes is in the midst of a Hall of Fame career, already winning three Super Bowls at the age of 29.

“I know that it has meant a lot to him,” Randi said prior to the Super Bowl. “He must be such a proud grandpa, so proud.”

Mahomes has vowed to make up the lopsided loss to the Eagles, which many considered one of the worst games of his career.

Patrick Mahomes was under pressure all Super Bowl.AP

“Appreciate all the love and support from #ChiefsKingdom I let y’all down (Sunday),” Mahomes wrote on social media.

“I’ll always continue to work and try and learn and be better for it. Want to give thanks to God for every opportunity he has given me. We will be back,” he wrote to his social media followers after the game.”