In Jeffrey Harrison’s defense — seeing a guy playing pickup basketball games in full NBA or college basketball gear was the norm for years when I was growing up.
I can remember randomly playing pickup games in full Chris Webber — Michigan, Nike attire and not thinking much about it. Life has changed since then — so when Harrison showed up in a Coeur d’Alene basketball court on the 4th of July wearing what he normally does to play pickup basketball — full Michael Jordan Bulls gear — the jokes and memes started.
KREM CBS 2 did a nice story on Harrison — who is inspired by Jordan on a daily basis — waking up early to study and mimic all of the GOATS moves.
Harrison is more than some punchline for social media jokes — as he suffers from autism — so what may be a joke to others — is real for Harrison,but also difficult in many ways.
It is part of an obstacle he and millions of others in the United States face on a daily basis. The obstacle is called autism. Byrd has known Harrison for 20 years and seen the challenges he faces. From not being able to have a job, to the criticism that comes when he is doing what he loves.
Harrison said people are not always nice and sometimes he gets frustrated. But, he is never defeated. He challenges the perception of who he is and what he is capable of both in life and in basketball.
“I am a good player, I always have fun playing basketball. I also take the game real seriously,” said Harrison.
It is just another way he takes after his idol. It shows in the defense he was playing, on the video that made him famous.
Harrison recently had part of the dream realized — when he spoke to Jordan on the phone after the Hornets owner saw the viral video and popularity of it.
Michael also blessed Harrison with a ton of new gear and sneakers as well.
Flip The Page to see Harrison channel his inner Airness: