Michael Jordan’s famous competitive juices and trash-talking have not dissipated with age.
Ryan Whitney, the former NHL defenseman who cohosts Barstool Sports’ “Spittin’ Chiclets” podcast, told his tale of getting mercilessly hectored by Jordan during a round of golf to cohost Paul Bissonnette and guest Justin Thomas.
“He doesn’t say a word to me,” Whitney began. “We get to 17, it’s the 35th hole of the day, par five, I’m on [the green] in two. He’s dead.”
However, Jordan hit a birdie and Whitney missed his own birdie putt.
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“First thing he said all day was, ‘That’s right, bitch,'” Whitney recalled.
“So then we go to 36. I finish the last hole. Another press, lose that hole too. He’s like, ‘A scratch golfer … Bitch you couldn’t scratch my wife’s ass. I just left. I just paid him 10 grand and left. I felt this big [holding fingers closely apart]. He’s pumping rap tunes the whole time that say his name in the song. I was like, ‘What planet am I on right now?'”
Whitney played for the Penguins, Ducks, Oilers and Panthers in an NHL career that spanned from 2005-14.
Michael Jordan tees off the seventh hole during the American Century Celebrity Golf Championships, Friday, July 16, 2010, at Edgewood Golf Course in Stateline, Nev. AP Jordan was legendary for talking trash during his playing career — whether it was opponents like Knicks great Patrick Ewing, or even his own teammates.
“He was an a–hole,” former Bulls center Will Perdue said on ESPN’s “Last Dance.”
“He was a jerk. He crossed the line numerous times.”
Michael Jordan chews a cigar as he walks the course during a practice round for the Presidents Cup golf competition, Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009, in San Francisco. AP “People were afraid of him,” added Jud Buechler. “We were his teammates and we were afraid of him. There was just fear.”
Pro golfer Rickie Fowler has also told stories in recent years about how Jordan is a savage trash-talker on the golf course.
“I was 7-under through 17 holes and lost,’’ Fowler said of a match against Jordan in 2021. “And he’s not quiet about it.’’
