Michael Phelps' Idol Michael Jordan Surprises Him at Ryder Cup; 'I Froze', Says Phelps
Michael Phelps just put the cherry on top of his big year by meeting his idol: Michael Jordan.
The meeting of legends happened during a taping of "Feherty Live", hosted by commentator and former pro golfer David Feherty on the Gold Channel. Phelps was a guest Monday night and came face to face with his idol when Jordan surprised the Olympic swimmer leaving him feeling overwhelmed.
"I froze. That's the one person in the world who could do that to me," Phelps said after the meeting. "I literally have always looked up to him."
Jordan slapped Phelps' hand and brought him in for a big hug on stage.
Phelps said that he had been texting with Jordan over the past few months and that he wanted to meet the basketball legend during this week's Ryder Cup.
"It was very special that he was able to come by, stop by and say hello," Phelps said. "I'm still, like, out of it. That was awesome."
Jordan won six NBA titles with the Chicago Bulls, and was the first athlete to become a worldwide brand selling everything from shoes to soda. Even though Phelps didn't want to be a famous basketball star, he hoped he would make a similar impact in the world of swimming.
"I'm truly honored and humbled that he's looked at me as a motivational figure," Jordan said.
Jordan has spent a lot of his post basketball career golfing, and told Phelps they should get together for a game.
"Anytime he's ready, I'm ready," said Jordan. "Except getting in the pool. I cannot swim, so I am not getting in the pool."
The two were guests on a special Ryder Cup edition of "Feherty Live" with Phelps having taken up golf and Jordan being an honorary member of the American team. The episode will air on air on the Golf Channel on Wednesday, just two days before the Ryder Cup begins at Medinah.
