Basketball legend Michael Jordan on Tuesday spoke via video conference to the University of Alabama football team.
The program, led by head coach Nick Saban, routinely has some of the most successful, well-known athletes and leaders from across the nation address the team each summer in preparation for the fall season.
Previous examples reported by Yellowhammer News include the late Kobe Bryant, as well as speakers from the business and political sectors such as world-famous entrepreneur Gary Vaynerchuk.
Alabama Athletics shared a one-minute video clip from Jordan’s virtual visit. Players seen in the video were socially distanced and wearing masks at the team facility.
“This guy — I have the most respect for, of anybody, as a competitor. This guy is a great competitor,” Saban said introducing Jordan to the team.
The Crimson Tide coach also praised Jordan in recent months during the premier of the popular 10-part documentary “The Last Dance.”
Jordan spoke to the team on Tuesday about what it takes to be a champion.
“Winning has a price,” the six-time NBA champion said. “You have to put forth the effort every single day.”
“Coaching can only give you the motivation — they can give you plays and they can give you all that — but at the end of the day, you’ve got to have self-determination. You have to want to be the best,” Jordan advised.
He added, “If you’re all on the same page and everybody wants to win, that’s the whole process. If you guys are sitting there putting on that Alabama uniform, your attitude is about winning. Winning is a part of me. I will do anything to win. Your energy should be towards winning.”
Watch:
“Winning is a part of me, I will do anything to win.” – ? #BamaFactor #RollTide pic.twitter.com/Q8MLYPf3y5
— Alabama Football (@AlabamaFTBL) August 12, 2020
Alabama Football also shared this famous quote from Jordan in a tweet: “I can accept failure, everyone fails at something. But I can’t accept not trying.”
The program, led by its players with support from the staff and administration, are currently trying to save the 2020 fall college football season.
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Sean Ross is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn
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