More important than Michael Jordan’s contributions to the game of basketball are the contributions he makes to his fans from around the world.
My 10-year-old son was fortunate enough recently to be one of literally hundreds of kids who participated in the Michael Jordan basketball camp. Kids from as far away as China came to spend five days and nights learning the finer points of offense, defense and free-throw shooting from the best who has ever played the game.
The real lessons, however, were those that have little to do with basketball. You see, the best notes taken in this camp would be those that detailed examples of Jordan’s sincere love for children and the hours of time he devoted to those in attendance. Jordan not only lends his name to the camp, he shares his most valuable asset–his time. As busy as he is, he made time to show up every day–some-times twice a day–to lecture, instruct, play, sign autographs and take pictures with each camper.
Jordan is a patient and very tolerant man. While waiting for him to return to his Ferrari after a question-and-answer period, my 4-year-old son put fingerprints all over the windows on the driver’s side. Though he wasn’t pleased, Michael just smiled and asked, “How’d these fingerprints get all over my car?” You see, the impressions of those little fingerprints will wipe off, but the impressions Michael left on the minds and in the hearts of all the coaches, counselors, parents and the campers will last a lifetime.
