*Big thanks to Krabby & the whole Saint Alfred’s crew for inviting the RubyHornet team to participate in the Michael Jordan tribute event Monday night. Pics and story below.
When speaking about the legacy of Michael Jeffrey Jordan it’s wise to leave the rhetoric of “best to ever play the game” behind, and start considering if he was the greatest at what he did across all sports. Perhaps Aaron, perhaps Federer and when it’s all said and done likely Tiger, but at this very moment there is none who has transcended sports the way #23 has. Much like what Dr. J had done with Converse and Dr. Pepper, Jordan took on the endorsement world with Nike and Gatorade; and basketball, hip-hop and shoe culture hasn’t been the same since. In celebration of Jordan’s inauguration into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, Gatorade threw an event that honored the five-time MVP by introducing three new flavors of Gatorade. The bottles are in a limited run, and look amazing as they’re adorned by one of six iconic images that best capture MJ’s illustrious fifteen-year career.
Of the guests invited that night 23 lucky people (including Scottie Pippen, Bill Wennington, Biz Markie and Jackie Joyner-Kersee) were asked to participate in the installation of a monolithic Jordan mosaic made up of over 19,000 Gatorade bottles. The light-up installation, designed by TBWA/Chiat/Day and located on the corner of S. State and 18th, was also created for use in an upcoming Gatorade ad that will boast the slogan “then, now and forever”. Afterwards a party was held in an undisclosed location in the South Loop, and the celebration ensued with Biz Markie cutting breaks, Mr. Tastees’ staff printing up limited edition t-shirts and Gatorade giving away a trip to Springfield, MA to see MJ’s inauguration on September 11th (winner: Shunte McMillian). It was an unforgettable moment for some of the biggest MJ fans in Chicago and RH was there to capture it all.
Words: Jeff Min
Photos: Virgil Solis except (*) by Jeff Min
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