Michael Jordan is facing backlash online after an ‘inappropriate’ celebration following his Daytona 500 victory on Sunday, February 15.
The six-time NBA champion became a Daytona 500 winner after driver Tyler Reddick secured victory at Daytona International Speedway.
Reddick won ‘The Great American Race’ with a frantic final lap to deliver 23XI Racing its first Daytona 500 triumph. The 30-year-old from Corning, California, recorded his ninth Cup Series win and first since late in the 2024 season.
Jordan co-founded 23XI Racing in 2021 alongside Denny Hamlin. The team currently operates three cars in the Cup Series.
Speaking after the race, Reddick said: “It’s stuff you dream of as a kid. Now, I definitely didn’t look into the future and know that I would drive for Michael Jordan. But to be able to have someone like Michael Jordan believe in me enough, someone like Denny Hamlin. I’m just trying to do my best to live on the promises that I made to them and vice versa.”
Jordan reflected on the result during a post-victory interview. “I can’t even believe it, it was so gratifying,” he said. “You never know how these races are going to end. You just try to survive. We hung in there all day. Great strategy by the team, and we gave ourselves a chance at the end. Look, I’m ecstatic.”
Jordan, who turns 63 on Tuesday, will receive a Daytona 500 ring. He joked that he wears a size 13. “It feels like I won a championship, but until I get my ring, I won’t even know,” he said.
Online Reaction To Celebration Clip
Attention shifted after a video from the celebration circulated widely on social media. In the clip, Jordan is seen reaching toward a child, reportedly Reddick’s son Beau, during the champagne celebrations. He appears to touch the child’s legs and tug at his T-shirt.
Some users criticized the moment after the video was shared online.
One user wrote: “Interesting celebration choice by Michael Jordan after winning the Daytona 500.”
Another added: “After the week we just had…this is NOT a good look.”
A third questioned: “Yo what did I just witness.”
Another comment read: “Straight to jail.”
One user wrote: “MJ ruined his entire legacy in only 23 seconds.”
Others defended Jordan and offered context for the moment. “Give it a rest! The kid is wet,” one person wrote.
Another said: “Everyone got doused in champagne. The boy said he was itchy, and Michael Jordan was helping the poor kid out. He’s pulling the shirt away and then he scratches the boy’s leg. I know that the Epstein files are out and people are on edge, but this ain’t it, folks. Grow up.”
A third added: “Tyler Reddick is the driver and this is Tyler’s son. Champagne had just been poured on everyone and the son said it was making him itch.”
The clip continues to circulate online. Neither Jordan nor 23XI Racing has publicly addressed the viral moment.
The controversy has drawn attention away from what was otherwise a significant achievement for the team.
Featured image credit: ESPN & Fox
