Michael Jordan sat in his office, the quiet hum of his phone buzzing as it alerted him to yet another incoming call. His mind was full of tasks—meetings, product launches, and the constant responsibilities of managing his ever-expanding empire. The transition from basketball superstar to successful businessman had been relatively seamless, but amidst the whirlwind of work, there were fleeting moments when his thoughts wandered back to his roots—his childhood in Wilmington, North Carolina.
It wasn’t unusual for Michael to reflect on his early years. He often thought about the lessons he’d learned, the struggles he’d overcome, and the people who had shaped him into the man he was today. But today, something was different. A call from his old elementary school had caught him by surprise.
“Michael, we thought you might like to know,” the principal’s voice came through on the other end of the line, full of enthusiasm. “Your favorite lunch lady, Mrs. Thompson, is still working here! Can you believe it? She never retired!”
Michael’s eyebrows raised in disbelief. “Mrs. Thompson? She’s still there?” He had assumed she would have retired by now. Mrs. Thompson had been a fixture in his life for as long as he could remember—always smiling, always kind.
“She’s been working here for decades and is still going strong,” the principal continued, a chuckle in her voice. “The kids absolutely adore her.”
The news hit Michael harder than he expected. Mrs. Thompson had always been there for him when he was a child, offering more than just lunch. She had offered warmth, encouragement, and kindness. Michael remembered how, as a young boy, he’d look forward to lunchtime not just for the food, but for the chance to talk with Mrs. Thompson, who always seemed genuinely interested in how his day was going.
She had been one of those rare adults who truly cared about the kids, who made them feel seen and heard when everything else in his life felt uncertain. She’d been a constant, and the thought that she was still there—still serving new generations of children—was both humbling and eye-opening.
“That’s incredible,” Michael said, his voice soft with surprise. “I honestly thought she would have retired by now. She was always so full of energy, so passionate about what she did.”
“Well, she is,” the principal said with a smile. “She’s been the heart of this school for as long as I can remember. The kids love her, and so does the staff. She’s one of a kind.”
Michael felt a strange tug at his heart. He hadn’t thought much about Mrs. Thompson in years, but hearing that she was still there, still dedicating herself so fully to the kids, made him pause. It was humbling. He thought about his own life—the fame, the wealth, the recognition—and then about Mrs. Thompson, who had never sought any of those things. She had simply given herself to others, day in and day out.
“Is she doing okay?” Michael asked, concern creeping into his voice. “I hope she’s not struggling, I know she’s been there for a long time.”
The principal hesitated for a moment before responding, her tone changing slightly. “Well, she’s had some health issues recently. Nothing too serious, but, you know, as you get older, things start to catch up with you. But she’s as tough as ever. She still comes in every day, always with a smile on her face. We’re all really proud of her.”
Michael listened intently, his mind racing as he thought about all the times Mrs. Thompson had been there for him. The hearty, comforting lunches she’d served weren’t anything extravagant, but they had been infused with care. It wasn’t just about the food—it was about the love and attention she gave to every child who came through that cafeteria line. The thought that she had kept working, year after year, for the same reason—because she loved what she did—hit him deeply.
“I can’t believe she’s still there,” Michael said quietly, more to himself than to anyone else. The idea of Mrs. Thompson still serving lunch to kids, despite everything she had given, struck him in a way he hadn’t expected. It made him realize how much she had impacted his life—and how much she was still giving to the next generation.
After the call ended, Michael sat back in his chair, deep in thought. He had always believed in giving back, in supporting those who had helped him along the way. And now, here was an opportunity. A chance to help someone who had given so much to him and so many others—someone who had never asked for anything in return.
He reached for his phone again, dialing the principal’s number. His mind was already racing with possibilities. He couldn’t let Mrs. Thompson continue to work in silence, serving lunch day in and day out. Not when he had the power to help her. It was time to make sure she didn’t have to struggle anymore.
“I want to do something for Mrs. Thompson,” Michael said as soon as the principal answered. “Something that honors her dedication. She deserves to have the chance to retire comfortably and enjoy the rest of her life.”
The principal was taken aback but quickly agreed. Michael’s plan began to take shape: a retirement package that would provide financial support and health care, and a community event to recognize her years of service. But Michael wanted to go further. He wanted to ensure that her legacy lived on long after she left the school.
“I want to set up a scholarship in her name,” Michael said, as the principal listened attentively. “A scholarship for a student who demonstrates the same kind of dedication, kindness, and character that she has shown for all these years.”
The principal was moved by the idea, her voice filled with emotion as she agreed. “That’s a beautiful gesture, Michael. Mrs. Thompson will be so touched. It will be such a meaningful way to honor her.”
The plan was set into motion quickly. Michael worked with his team to arrange the retirement package, including medical support and financial stability, and ensured the scholarship would be established. But he didn’t stop there. He wanted to make sure Mrs. Thompson knew just how much she meant to everyone in the community.
A few days later, Michael met with Mrs. Thompson at the school. When she entered the room, her eyes widened with surprise. She had no idea why Michael was there, especially after all these years. The woman who had always been the one giving, the one supporting, was now the one who would receive.
“Mike, I can’t believe you’re here,” she said, her voice full of emotion. “You’re one of the most successful people in the world, and yet you came all the way back for little old me.”
Michael smiled, but there was a hint of sadness in his eyes. “You’re not little old you, Mrs. Thompson. You’ve always been there for me when no one else was. I wanted to make sure you know how much that meant to me—and how much you deserve to take a break after all these years.”
As the conversation unfolded, Michael learned more about Mrs. Thompson’s struggles—the financial challenges, the toll her work had taken on her health, and the sacrifices she had made in silence. She had never asked for help, never complained. She had simply kept working, driven by her love for the kids she served.
“You’re not a burden, Mrs. Thompson,” Michael said, his voice firm but gentle. “You’ve given your entire life to helping others. It’s time for someone to help you now.”
He explained the retirement package he had arranged, along with the health care and the scholarship in her name. “You’ve earned the right to rest, Mrs. Thompson. You’ve given so much to this community. Now it’s time for you to enjoy your life without worrying about anything.”
Tears filled Mrs. Thompson’s eyes as she listened. She had never imagined anyone would do something like this for her. “I don’t know how to thank you,” she said softly, shaking her head in disbelief.
“You don’t need to thank me,” Michael replied. “You’ve always believed in me. Now I’m making sure you have everything you need to enjoy the life you’ve worked so hard for.”
The scholarship ceremony was held shortly after, and it was a moment of celebration for Mrs. Thompson. Students, staff, and alumni all came together to honor the woman who had touched so many lives. The room erupted in applause when the scholarship was announced. Michael watched as Mrs. Thompson, overwhelmed with emotion, received the recognition she had never asked for but so richly deserved.
As the ceremony ended, Michael knew that this wasn’t just about providing financial support. It was about ensuring that Mrs. Thompson’s legacy would live on, inspiring future generations of students to give, to serve, and to care for others.
For Michael, this was the kind of legacy he wanted to leave behind—not just through basketball, but through the lives he touched and the ways he gave back. And as he watched Mrs. Thompson, now surrounded by the community she had served for so many years, he realized that true greatness wasn’t about fame or fortune—it was about the difference you made in the lives of others.
Resurfaced interview reveals what Australian basketball star Luc Longley REALLY thought of Michael Jordan – after he barely appeared in hit Netflix documentary The Last Dance
A resurfaced interview with Australian basketball star Luc Longley has shed light on his relationship with Michael Jordan.
Longley, now 51, was not interviewed for hit documentary series The Last Dance, which followed Jordan and the Chicago Bulls’ successful run during the 1990s.
In the interview, Longley said Jordan was always on his ‘back’ and ‘gave everyone a hard time’.
‘Put it this way. I saw as much of Michael as I wanted to see of Michael,’ Longley told Hoops Capital Podcast in December.
‘Let me tell you, he was always on my back that bloke. I was learning and Michael was teaching, but we very quickly figured out a way to play together and it wasn’t too bad.’
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Luc Longley has shed light on his relationship with NBA legend Michael Jordan during their time playing together with the Chicago Bulls. Longley and Jordan are pictured together in Bulls colours in October 1997
It follows the memoirs of the Bulls’ decorated coach Phil Jackson shedding light on a heated locker room argument when Jordan urged Longley to ‘make yourself better’.
In his appearance on the podcast though, Longley also revealed one of his more positive exchanges with the NBA legend.
‘I will share a story. Michael obviously gave everyone a hard time, expecting a lot,’ Longley said.
‘We were in Detroit and it was mid-season – second championship year. I went out in the first half and had 19 points. I think I had 12 points in the first quarter – I was unstoppable.
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Despite not being interviewed for the documentary series, Longley (pictured in action with Jordan in 1997) said in a resurfaced interview from last year Jordan was always on his ‘back’ and ‘gave everyone a hard time’
‘Got into the locker room at half time and Michael’s all over me, ‘If you play like that, we’re going to win another championship, you’re the man, I’m going to get you ball.'”
Longley said though that after the encouraging words he got into foul trouble and didn’t score another point.
‘Michael in the locker room after the game said, “I’m never ever going to say anything good to you ever again.”
‘He thought he was responsible for pumping me up and making me play bad.’
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Longley (pictured during 2020 NBL final) has kept a low profile since retiring in 2001 except for stints with the Boomers coaching staff
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A locker room spat between NBA legend Michael Jordan and Australian teammate Luc Longley (pictured together with the Chicago Bulls in 1998) was previously detailed by their coach Phil Jackson
Jackson’s season diary meanwhile detailed a heated spat between Jordan and Longley as the team struggled during a patchy start to their title defence.
The coach wrote that the dispute began after he criticised Longley during a video session, and Jordan chimed in.
Jackson wrote that Longley was hurt, and responded by saying: ‘It’s easy to criticise’, prompting assistant coach Tex Winter to question his attitude.
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Chicago Bulls championship winning coach Phil Jackson (pictured at New Yorker Festival in 2014) detailed the argument in a diary he kept during the 1997-98 NBA season
‘A shrug is a big deal for Luc; he is a loveable guy. But he says to Tex, “I wasn’t talking about the coaching staff. Michael is the one being critical. I just want to let him know it’s easy to criticise”,’ Jackson wrote.
‘And then Michael says, “The only thing that upsets me is when we lose. I think you should resolve to make yourself better the next time. Change”.
‘The room was charged. It was sombre. Michael was sombre.’
Longley, who remains the only Australian with three NBA championships, gave his first interview in years on Friday where he said the team and Jordan pushed him to be better.
‘I worked really hard on defending. On strength. On speed. My application to it all. I had to become a student of the game,’ he told The Australian.
‘You had MJ (Michael Jordan), of course, but it wasn’t the norm. What I had to figure out was how to be a full-time professional athlete.’
Longley kept a low profile after retiring in 2001 except for stints with the Australian Boomers coaching staff during recent Olympic Games.
Australian basketball great Andrew Gaze described Longley as one of the most widely-liked personalities in the game. who enjoys the quiet life.
‘I don’t think I know of anyone that doesn’t like Luc Longley,’ he told foxsports.com.au.
Gaze said Longley had anticipated the extra attention The Last Dance would create.
‘He changed his phone number because he didn’t want to be bothered with that stuff,’ he said.
‘He lives out in his farm in the middle of nowhere. That’s just the way he was. He didn’t seek out the limelight.’
