Michael Jordan is facing intense scrutiny on social media after a video from Sunday's Daytona 500 showed him touching a young boy during the post-race celebration. The clip, which spread rapidly across X and other platforms, has sparked debate over whether the basketball legend crossed a line or is being judged too harshly.
The moment occurred after 23XI Racing secured their first-ever Daytona 500 win. Jordan was celebrating with driverTyler Reddickwhen cameras captured him repeatedly touching the lower back of Reddick's son, Beau, and tugging at the child's shirt. The incident played out on live television, and reactions followed swiftly.
Theresponseshave been sharply divided. 'What is Michael Jordan doing,' one person wrote on X after sharing the footage. Another commented, 'Interesting celebration choice by Michael Jordan after winning the Daytona 500.' Some took it further, with one user claiming Jordan was 'inappropriately touching a child during live television.'
Critics escalated their accusations when some began making comparisons to Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted sex offender. 'Michael "Jeffery" Jordan,' one user wrote. 'That's inappropriate unless that's his child or they have a good relationship,' another added.
However, many people defended Jordan. 'Typical uncle vibes nothing crazy,' one supporter posted. Others pointed out that this was not a random child but Beau Reddick, whose family has known Jordan for years through their NASCAR connections.
Tyler Reddick told The Athletic in 2024 that his wife Alexa's father, the late baseball pitcherJose DeLeon, knew Jordan from decades earlier. DeLeon played for the Chicago White Sox when Jordan was doing his brief baseball stint in the early 1990s. 'I think there's even a picture — I could be wrong — of MJ holding Alexa as a baby,' Reddick said in that interview.
Some supporters offered alternative explanations. X user Brian Krassenstein wrote, 'The kid is wet and probably has ice down his shirt after the celebration. Stop trying to pretend that Michael Jordan sexually assaulted a kid on national TV.' Victory lane celebrations in NASCAR typically involve champagne and ice being sprayed liberally.
What should have been Jordan's celebratory moment has become a public relations challenge. The 62-year-old watched Tyler Reddick execute a last-lap pass to win the Daytona 500, ending a 38-race losing streak. For 23XI Racing, the team Jordan co-owns with Denny Hamlin, this was a significant achievement.
'It feels like I won a championship, but until I get my ring, I won't even know,' Jordansaidafter the race. 'I can't even believe it. It was so gratifying.'
Jordan has been open about his passion for NASCAR, which dates back to his childhood in North Carolina. 'The family sat there and we watched the race. Four hours, five hours, six hours, didn't matter. We were gonna watch the race,'he toldreporters.
Source: International Business Times UK
