Michael Jordan Helps a Poor Boy Pick Up His Groceries—Years Later, His Life Changes Forever!
It was an ordinary afternoon in Chicago. The city buzzed with life—cars honking, people rushing, and the sun casting golden hues across the skyline. Michael Jordan, dressed in simple jeans, a black T-shirt, and a worn-out jacket, walked into a small neighborhood supermarket. Unlike the high-end stores in the city’s posh districts, this place was humble and mostly visited by working-class families. Michael liked it that way. Here, he was just another man with a basket, picking up groceries, blending in.
As he made his way toward the checkout, something caught his attention: a boy, no older than twelve, was hurriedly picking up groceries from the floor, trying to stuff them back into a torn paper bag. People walked past, some even annoyed at having to step around him. Michael paused, watching the boy struggle. His clothes were worn, his shoes had holes, and there was a quiet desperation in his eyes.
Without a second thought, Michael knelt beside the boy. “Here, let me help you,” he said gently, picking up an apple and placing it back in the bag.
The boy froze, startled. “No, it’s okay,” he stammered, his voice small and uncertain.
Michael smiled. “It’s all right, kid. Everyone needs a hand sometimes.”
The boy hesitated, then nodded, allowing Michael to help him gather the last few items. “Thank you,” the boy whispered, hugging the bag close to his chest. Michael could see the relief on his face, but also something deeper—pride. This wasn’t a boy who wanted charity; he was used to fending for himself.
Michael stood, dusting off his hands. “Are you shopping for your family?” he asked.
The boy nodded. “Yeah. My mom’s sick, so I come to buy stuff when we have money.”
Michael’s heart tightened. “That’s a big responsibility. How old are you?”
“Almost thirteen.”
Michael studied him for a moment. He’d seen this before—a child forced to grow up too soon. “I didn’t catch your name.”
“Lucas.”
“Nice to meet you, Lucas,” Michael said warmly. Lucas gave a shy smile before looking away, unaccustomed to being noticed. But Michael had already decided: this wouldn’t be just another moment in passing.
As Lucas turned to the checkout, Michael called after him, “Hold on a second.” Lucas stopped, glancing over his shoulder. Michael reached into his pocket and pulled out a folded bill. He wasn’t one to flash money, but he knew what hunger felt like. “Here,” he said, extending the bill.
Lucas’s eyes widened. “I can’t take that,” he said, shaking his head.
Michael smiled knowingly. “Then don’t take it for yourself. Take it for your mom.”
Lucas hesitated, then reached out and took the bill, holding it carefully. “Thank you,” he whispered.
Michael nodded. “Take care of your mom, all right?”
Lucas gave a small, determined nod before hurrying to the cashier. Michael watched as Lucas placed the bill on the counter, his hands shaking slightly. When the cashier handed him the change, Lucas looked back at Michael one last time, and in his eyes, Michael saw something he hadn’t seen before—hope.
Michael paid for his own groceries and left the store, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that this wasn’t the last time he’d see Lucas. The boy’s resilience, pride, and quiet strength reminded Michael of himself at that age.
A few days later, Michael found himself back at the same supermarket. He wasn’t shopping—he was waiting. Sure enough, Lucas appeared, his hood up, hands tucked in his pockets. Michael waited until Lucas had gathered a few items before approaching.
“Hey, kid.”
Lucas nearly jumped. “Mr. Jordan?” he said, surprised.
Michael smiled. “Didn’t think I’d see you again.”
Lucas looked down, embarrassed. “Yeah, I come here a lot.”
Michael glanced at his basket—only a few items, nothing extra. “You okay?” he asked.
Lucas hesitated, then nodded. “My mom’s doing better with the food I got last time.”
Michael’s smile faltered slightly. “Better” wasn’t the same as healthy. “You guys still struggling?”
Lucas shrugged. “We always do. But it’s just how things are.”
Michael thought carefully before speaking. He knew Lucas wasn’t the type to take handouts. “You know, I could use some help with something.”
Lucas blinked. “What?”
Michael rubbed his chin, pretending to think. “I have some extra work—someone to run errands, help carry stuff. Pays well. Interested?”
Lucas eyed him suspiciously. “Why me?”
Michael smiled. “Because I trust you.”
Lucas’s throat tightened. No one had ever said that to him before. “How much does it pay?” he asked.
Michael thought for a second. “How much do you need?”
Lucas hesitated. “A hundred dollars?”
Michael nodded. “Deal.”
Lucas’s mouth nearly dropped open. “A hundred dollars for what exactly?”
Michael shrugged. “Carrying stuff, running small errands, maybe getting coffee for an old guy like me.”
Lucas let out a small laugh—the first Michael had heard from him. “Fine,” Lucas said, still unsure. “I guess I can do that.”
Over the next few weeks, Michael kept his word. He gave Lucas simple tasks—helping carry bags, running errands. What Lucas didn’t realize at first was that Michael was paying him far more than the work required. When Lucas finally asked why, Michael just smiled. “Because I know what it’s like to need a break.”
For the first time, Lucas didn’t feel like just another poor kid. He felt like someone who mattered.
One evening, Michael walked Lucas home for the first time. Lucas was hesitant—he didn’t want Michael to see where he lived. But Michael didn’t judge the small apartment or the peeling paint. When he saw Lucas’s mother, Sarah, struggling to stand, he knew what he had to do.
“Lucas, I want to help. But only if you let me.”
Lucas swallowed hard. “How?”
Michael smiled. “Let’s just say I know a guy who can change your life.”
The next morning, Michael picked Lucas up and drove him to a community center he supported. Inside, the center buzzed with energy—kids learning, laughing, building futures. Over the next few weeks, Lucas learned new skills, found mentors, and most importantly, began to believe in himself.
One day, as Lucas worked at a computer station, Michael sat down beside him. “How’s it going?”
Lucas smiled. “I think I can do this.”
Michael grinned. “I never doubted you.”
“Why did you help me?” Lucas asked.
Michael was quiet for a moment. “Because once, someone gave me a chance. It changed my life. Now it’s my turn.”
Lucas nodded. “I’ll do the same one day.”
“That’s all I could ever ask for,” Michael said, placing a hand on his shoulder.
Years passed. Lucas finished school, started mentoring kids, and eventually launched a scholarship program for students like him. At the launch event, Lucas stood at the podium, looking out at the crowd—and at Michael, sitting proudly in the front row.
“I used to believe people like me didn’t get chances,” Lucas began. “But someone showed me that kindness still exists. Now, I get to do the same for someone else.”
The audience erupted in applause. Michael stood, clapping the loudest.
And so, a small act of kindness in a grocery store became the spark that changed countless lives—a legacy of hope, passed from one person to the next, forever.
Michael Jordan’s Parents Were Once Depressed Seeing Him Carry Clothes and Towels After Getting Cut from Varsity
Michael Jordan was forced to carry around towels and clothes for players on varsity, resulting his parents feeling a certain type of way.
The Michael Jordan that we see today is a far cry from the Michael Jordan that existed in the late 1970s. During that time, MJ was in high school and would try out for the Varsity basketball team as a sophomore who stood at merely 5’11.
He attended Emsley A. Laney High School, a school situated in Wilmington and the notion that the team didn’t recognize his talents is a bit false. In reality, the team was short on tall players. Since Jordan was below 6 feet tall, they passed on him and gave a Varsity spot to his friend Leroy Smith who was already 6’7.
This resulted in the future 3rd overall pick being pushed down to Junior Varsity. Despite showcasing his talents on JV, Varsity would not call him up to play for them during a crucial state playoff game.
Jordan’s parents were subjected to watching their son be a towel boy for the Varsity team.
Michael Jordan was under the impression at the time that if he showed up for the Varsity play-off game, his coach would perhaps put him in for a while, given his immense individual success on JV. Unfortunately, this was not the case.
According to an interview with GQ in 1989, MJ was forced to sit at the end of the bench, carry a player’s uniform to the gym, and bring towels for the guys playing in Varsity. His parents, Deloris and James, were in the stands believing they would get to see their son play. This however, never happened.
In that same interview, Jordan described his parents as looking ‘depressed’. And rightfully so. It’s clear that Michael had all the raw talent in the world and not having your son be given a chance is tough for any parent to witness.
Eventually, Jordan would be given that chance in his junior year at Laney.
How Michael Jordan get the Varsity spot.
Michael Jordan got hit with a well-timed growth spurt. That sums up the reason as to why Laney gave him a chance and would rejoice at the instant success they experienced. He would be 6’3 in his junior year and would cap off his spurt at 6’6 by the time he was a senior.
He instantly became the best player on his team, racking up McDonald’s All-American honors all while leading the squad to a 19-4 record his senior year. He even averaged a triple double the same season.
Soon enough, Jordan was being coached by Dean Smith at the University of North Carolina and the rest is history.
