After 41 years, the shocking story of Michael Jordan’s brush with death in prison during a stunt with a samurai sword resurfaces
Nearly 41 years later, an event from Michael Jordan’s history has come to light. It has now been discovered that the basketball legend volunteered in a potentially lethal circumstance. The six-time NBA champion was reportedly slashed by a samurai sword following a strange stunt mishap while still unaware of what he was getting into.
Jordan was only a freshman with the UNC Tar Heels in 1982, reveling in his newfound celebrity following a key shot against the Georgetown Hoyas in the NCAA Finals.
As a local star in Chapel Hill, Jordan was invited to appear in a touring prison ministry program. He consented to execute a stunt that entailed putting a watermelon on his stomach as a person wearing a black belt tried to slice it with a samurai sword while playing hoops with a few convicts.
According to SB Nation, the swordsman called Michael Cain did his job and cut the watermelon, but he left Jordan with a wound that required three stitches to close.
The most intriguing aspect is that Cain performed this maneuver over 1,750 times with only 16 accidents. Michael Jordan adds another name to the notorious Cain list of individuals who have been cut.
Michael Jordan’s collegiate stats and honors
The North Carolina Tar Heels won the NCAA championship in 1992, Michael Jordan’s rookie year, and they honored him by retiring his #23 jersey number.
During that time, Jordan earned a name for himself by scoring the game-winning basket against Patrick Ewing’s Georgetown Hoyas, and he was named ACC Rookie of the Year in 1982.
Jordan was also able to accumulate awards along the road, including the National College Player of the Year in 1984 and the ACC Player of the Year and Athlete of the Year in the same year.
He averaged 13.5 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.2 steals per game as a rookie. Before entering the 1984 NBA draft, Jordan averaged 19.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.6 steals, and 1.1 blocks.
Jordan received more accolades for his collegiate playing days in 2002 when he was named to the ACC 50th Anniversary men’s basketball team, which celebrated the ACC’s 50 finest players at the time.
Jordan’s colleagues with the Tar Heels included Sam Perkins, James Worthy, Brad Daugherty, and Kenny Smith.
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