In the world of professional sports, fans are often fascinated by the idea of “athletic DNA.” We see it in the Currys, the Mannings, and the Griffeys.
However, sometimes the most intriguing connections are the ones that aren’t immediately obvious on a jersey or a stat sheet.
For years, a rumor has circulated through the ranks of MLB and NBA fandom: Is former MLB outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. related to the legendary Michael Jordan?
The answer is a definitive yes, though the branches of their family tree are separated by several decades and a few generations.
Drawing from documented history and personal accounts, this post explores the deep North Carolina roots that link one of baseball’s premier defensive specialists to the man many consider the “Greatest of All Time” in basketball.
Defining the Bloodline: How Are They Actually Related?
When we think of sports relatives, we usually think of fathers and sons or brothers. In the case of Jackie Bradley Jr. (JBJ) and Michael Jordan, the connection is more distant but significant. Jackie Bradley Jr. is a distant relative of Michael Jordan.
The specific lineage was confirmed through research and reporting by major sports outlets. The familial link is established through siblings in a previous generation: Michael Jordan’s grandfather and Jackie Bradley Jr.’s great-great-grandmother were brother and sister.
This makes the two athletes distant cousins. While they may not share a dinner table every Thanksgiving, they share a genetic history that traces back to the same household in the American South.
This revelation adds a layer of prestige to Bradley Jr.’s already impressive athletic resume, linking him to a lineage of high-level performance and competitive drive.
The North Carolina Roots: A Shared Heritage
To understand the connection between these two stars, one must look toward the geography of their ancestors. Both Jackie Bradley Jr. and Michael Jordan have deep family roots in North Carolina.
North Carolina has long been a hotbed for athletic talent, and for the Jordan and Bradley families, it served as the foundation of their history.
Michael Jordan is famously associated with the state, having played his college ball for the North Carolina Tar Heels before his legendary tenure with the Chicago Bulls.
Bradley Jr. has also confirmed this regional connection, noting that the family ties are firmly planted in North Carolina soil.
This shared geographic heritage is more than just a coincidence; it represents a specific cultural and familial history that eventually produced two athletes who reached the pinnacle of their respective sports—one on the basketball court and the other on the baseball diamond.
The Eight-Year-Old’s Discovery: A Reunion to Remember
While many fans only learned of this connection through internet trivia or social media, Jackie Bradley Jr. has been aware of his famous relative since childhood. He didn’t need a DNA test or a professional genealogist to find the truth; he learned it at a family gathering.
Bradley Jr. has stated that he actually met Michael Jordan’s grandfather at a family reunion in North Carolina. At the time, Bradley Jr. was only eight years old.
Imagine being a young boy, already showing a passion for sports, and realizing that you are standing in the presence of the patriarch of the Jordan family.
While an eight-year-old might not fully grasp the weight of being related to a global icon like Michael Jordan, the memory remained a foundational part of Bradley Jr.’s family identity.
This personal encounter serves as the primary evidence for the relationship, moving it from the realm of “sports myth” to documented family history.
A Tale of Two Greats: Different Diamonds, Different Courts
While they share a bloodline, their paths to professional stardom looked very different.
Michael Jordan is a six-time NBA Champion, a five-time MVP, and a global brand. His dominance in the 1990s redefined what it meant to be a professional athlete.
Interestingly, Jordan himself had a brief stint in professional baseball, playing for the Birmingham Barons (an affiliate of the Chicago White Sox) during his first retirement from the NBA.
Though he never reached the Big Leagues as a player, his love for the game was well-documented.
Jackie Bradley Jr., on the other hand, carved out a stellar career in Major League Baseball. Known primarily for his elite defensive play in center field, Bradley Jr. became a household name during his time with the Boston Red Sox.
He was an integral part of the 2018 World Series championship team and was named the American League Championship Series (ALCS) MVP that same year.
He is also a Gold Glove Award winner, proving that the “defensive genius” trait might just run in the family—even if the sports are different.
The Ultimate Irony: A Lakers Fan in the Family
Perhaps the most humorous aspect of this entire story is Jackie Bradley Jr.’s personal sports allegiance. You might assume that having a blood connection to the greatest player in Chicago Bulls history would make you a lifelong Bulls fan. However, family ties don’t always dictate team loyalty.
Despite his familial link to Michael Jordan, Jackie Bradley Jr. has previously noted that he is actually a fan of the Los Angeles Lakers.
During Michael Jordan’s era, the Lakers and the Bulls were often at the center of the NBA universe. To be a Lakers fan while being related to the man who defined the Bulls’ dynasty is a testament to Bradley Jr.’s independent spirit. It serves as a reminder that even within “sports royalty,” individual preferences and regional fandoms often override the family business.
Conclusion: A Legacy of Excellence
The connection between Jackie Bradley Jr. and Michael Jordan is one of the most fascinating “did you know” facts in modern sports. While their relationship is distant—linked by the sibling bond between Jordan’s grandfather and Bradley Jr.’s great-great-grandmother—the impact of their shared lineage is undeniable.
From the family reunions in North Carolina to the championship trophies they both hoisted in their respective sports, the Bradley and Jordan families have left an indelible mark on American athletics.
Whether it’s a Gold Glove catch in center field or a game-winning jump shot at the buzzer, the excellence displayed by both men suggests that, in some small way, greatness truly does run in the family.
Summary Table of the Connection
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Relationship | Distant Relatives |
| Specific Link | MJ’s grandfather & JBJ’s great-great-grandmother were siblings |
| Home State | North Carolina |
| First Meeting | JBJ met MJ’s grandfather at age 8 at a reunion |
| Personal Fandom | Jackie Bradley Jr. is a Lakers fan |
