Michael Jordan Viral Video Sparks Backlash After Daytona Win
Michael Jordan wasn’t just another celebrity in attendance at the Daytona 500. The NBA legend is co-owner of 23XI Racing, the NASCAR team that captured the win, making him a central figure in the celebration.
Jordan celebrated a major NASCAR victory Sunday after 23XI Racing driver Tyler Reddick won the Daytona 500. But a viral clip from the post-race celebration has sparked debate online.
Reddick secured the win at Daytona International Speedway by leading just one lap, the final lap that brought him to the checkered flag. The victory marked another milestone for Jordan, who co-owns 23XI Racing and has steadily built a presence in stock car racing.
“I can’t even believe it,” Jordan said after the race. “You never know how these races are gonna end. You just try to survive.”
Viral Clip Draws Criticism
During the on-track celebration, video showed Jordan interacting with Reddick’s young son, Beau. In the clip, Jordan appears to repeatedly pinch the child’s behind before briefly rubbing the back of his leg. The moment quickly circulated on social media, where some viewers criticized the interaction as inappropriate.
Others defended Jordan, arguing that the footage was being taken out of context.
NASCAR podcaster Bubba The Love Sponge Clem suggested that Jordan was attempting to help the child during the chaotic celebration.
“Tyler Reddick's son had a chunk of ice. You can see that Tyler Reddick's son's shirt is completely saturated, and Michael Jordan tried to help a little kid out; ‘Let me get those chunks of ice out of your back,’” Clem said.
Supporters also pointed out that Jordan has developed close relationships within the 23XI Racing organization and is familiar with Reddick’s family. They suggested the interaction was playful and misinterpreted.
Jordan has not publicly addressed the online reaction.
Divided Reactions to the Viral Video
The viral video quickly ignited strong reactions online. Some viewers expressed discomfort, calling the interaction inappropriate and questioning the optics at a family-centered event like the Daytona 500. Social media comments ranged from criticism of Jordan’s behavior to broader debates about boundaries during public celebrations.
Others pushed back just as forcefully, arguing the moment was being taken out of context. Supporters suggested Jordan may have been trying to remove ice that had slipped under Beau Reddick’s shirt during the champagne and cooler-dump celebration that typically follows a Daytona victory. Several pointed to the child’s visibly wet shirt in the clip as evidence.
One commenter wrote that Jordan appeared to be helping “like an uncle would,” while others compared the moment to the playful roughhousing often seen between athletes and children during championship celebrations.
The debate escalated as memes and edited clips circulated across platforms. Some users compared the situation to past celebrity controversies, while others cautioned against drawing conclusions from a brief snippet of video. Neither the Reddick family nor NASCAR officials have issued complaints or statements regarding the clip, and the discussion has remained largely confined to social media commentary.
Historic Win for 23XI Racing
The controversy came during what was otherwise a landmark moment for Jordan’s racing venture. Reddick’s win at the Daytona 500 delivered one of the most prestigious victories in NASCAR.
Jordan reflected on his lifelong connection to the sport after the race.
“It was a group event. The family sat there and we watched the race. Four hours, five hours, six hours, didn’t matter. We were gonna watch the race,” he said. “For me to have an opportunity to continue to come back and be a part of this kinda reminds me of being back home in North Carolina and being able to connect with the family and watch the race.”
Jordan, widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players in history, has expanded his sports portfolio in recent years. His involvement in NASCAR has drawn both praise and skepticism, but Sunday’s Daytona 500 victory underscored his team’s growing competitiveness.
While the viral clip has fueled online discussion, many within the NASCAR community remain focused on the significance of the win.
For Jordan and 23XI Racing, the Daytona 500 triumph represents another chapter in an evolving sports legacy.
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