Jeffrey Harrison has a passion for basketball. And he has a passion for Michael Jordan.
A video circulated during the Fourth of July weekend of a man, clad in full Michael Jordan-Chicago Bulls regalia treating a regular old pick up game as if it was Game 7 of the NBA finals. The video, a short 15 second clip circulating Twitter and the rest of the internet, show Harrison playing ferocious defense against–let’s say–a more casually clothed opponent.
In truth, to say Michael Jordan, and basketball as a whole, are a passion of Harrison’s would be an understatement.
“He wakes up in the morning, watches Michael Jordan videos, studies Michael Jordan moves,” said Alfred Byrd, one of Harrison’s close friends, to Darnay Tripp of KREM in Washington.
And it seems to Harrison even pick up games can mean as much as Game 7.
“I am a good player, I always have fun playing basketball. I also take the game real seriously,” said Harrison.
Harrison, 33, suffers from autism, and while it has prevented him from holding a serious job and drawn a lot of scrutiny from others, it has not stopped him from pursuing his passion. Some could argue the dedication he puts into practice exceeds that you would see in a high school, college, or perhaps even a professional player. Every aspect of Jordan he tries to emulate, whether it be from Jordan’s iconic fadeaway jump-shot:
Like I said, he doesn't just look the part, he can play. Even showed me the signature MJ turnaround fadeaway. pic.twitter.com/3VkhdcnddO
— Darnay Tripp (@DarnayTripp) July 11, 2016
to the overall confidence.
Thus, it comes to no surprise that Harrison caught the attention of MJ, himself. Another video has surfaced, with Harrison receiving a large box and a letter from the greatest basketball player of all time. Inside was an abundance of Jordan apparel, from a warm-up jacket, to shorts, to even a new pair of shoes. A phone call shortly followed, and the pure happiness in Harrison’s voice was evident as he thanked his idol for the trove whose value cannot be measured in mere monetary figures.
Michael Jordan sent two boxes of gear to Jeffrey Harrison after seeing video of him playing hoops in his MJ uniform. pic.twitter.com/ZV0c7KpJcQ
— Darnay Tripp (@DarnayTripp) August 12, 2016
Everyday Harrison faces a tough battle because of autism, but every day he embraces it fully and with determination. Jordan’s message to him was short and simple: “continue to believe in yourself, play hard and always remember to enjoy the game.”
But those words ring true well beyond the game of basketball. Jeffrey Harrison of Pasco County can attest to that.
