When Michael Jordan returned from his first retirement, he wore #45, which looked awkward but became a source of curiosity.
New beginnings
Experts say he had no choice but to wear a different number because the Chicago Bulls had raised no. 23 to the rafters. While this may have been a factor, MJ disclosed the heartwarming reason why he didn't want to wear his usual number.
"I didn't want to wear 23 because I knew my father wasn't there to watch me, and I felt it was a new beginning, and 45 was my first number when I was playing in high school," Jordan said in Episode 8 of 'The Last Dance.'
Michael's dad, James Jordan, passed away in August 1993, months after he completed his first three-peat. Given how close MJ was to his father, it was a tough time for the Bulls guard. Some believe that his father's passing was one of the reasons why the former Tar Heel retired for the first time to play baseball.
He debuted the new look on March 19, 1995, in a 103-96 loss to the Indiana Pacers. Jordan had 19 points on a horrendous 7-of-28 shooting night. While Michael bounced back and even had a 55-point game later on, he didn't look like his old self. Many blamed the 17-month layoff, while some pointed to the number on his jersey for MJ's subpar performances.