CHICAGO — In a stirring tribute to one of the greatest athletes the world has ever seen, the city of Chicago and the Chicago Bulls organization held a celebratory ceremony to honor the legacy of Michael Jordan with the unveiling of his now-iconic statue, “The Spirit,” outside the United Center. Fans, former teammates, NBA legends, and dignitaries gathered in the thousands to witness a moment that transcends sports — a permanent bronze tribute to the man who redefined basketball.
The 12-foot-tall, 2,000-pound statue, crafted with stunning precision by renowned sculptors Omri Amrany and Julie Rotblatt-Amrany, captures Jordan mid-flight — soaring toward the basket in a pose that became the very symbol of excellence. The statue’s dynamic form, showcasing Jordan’s grace, power, and hang-time defiance of gravity, embodies the spirit that earned him six NBA championships, five MVP awards, and a cultural status rivaled by few.
The statue was unveiled on November 1, 1994, during a moving ceremony in which the Chicago Bulls officially retired Jordan’s iconic No. 23 jersey. Jordan, then recently retired for the first time from the NBA, stood beside his family and Bulls legends, visibly moved as thousands of fans chanted his name in a chorus of appreciation.
“This isn’t just a statue,” Bulls chairman Jerry Reinsdorf said at the unveiling. “It’s a monument to greatness — not only to a player, but to a standard of excellence that changed the game and the city of Chicago forever.”
