Barack Obama honors Michael Jordan for ‘transcendent’ career in essay collection for Chicago Bulls Ring of Honor

Former President Barack Obama praised the career of Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan as part of an essay collection honoring the team’s inaugural Ring of Honor inductees.

“There are only a handful of athletes in history — Ruth, Robinson, Ali — that can claim a comparable impact,” Obama wrote. “Michael Jordan shares that rare air. Not bad for a kid from Wilmington, North Carolina, who had once been cut by his high school varsity team.”

Jordan is one of 13 members of the inaugural Ring of Honor class, which is being celebrated in a gala Thursday night at the United Center and at halftime of Friday’s game against the Golden State Warriors.

The Bulls selected a different writer with ties to the franchise and Chicago to honor each of the 13 members of the class, including Hall of Famer Jerry Colangelo writing about Dick Klein; Phil Jackson on Tex Winter; Gregg Popovich on Jerry Sloan; and NBA Commissioner Adam Silver on the 1995-96 team, which also will be inducted into the Ring of Honor this week.

A handwritten copy of Pearl Jam lead singer Eddie Vedder’s tribute essay to Dennis Rodman will be on display in the United Center atrium for fans to view during Friday’s game.

“At the dawn of each NBA season, the ultimate goal was a world championship,” Vedder wrote. “Going all the way, three for three in those three epic seasons, the Chicago Bulls left no doubt as to their dominance. It was intense. It was joyful. It was inspiring. It was a team the likes of which may never be seen again. And there will certainly never be another comet as bright and impactful as Dennis Rodman. Forever a legend. The city of Chicago is so grateful you landed here.”

All of the essays are viewable on the Bulls website.

Ring of Honor essayists

• Jerry Colangelo on Dick Klein

• Doug Collins on Chet Walker

• Neil Funk on Johnny “Red” Kerr

• Pau Gasol on Toni Kukoč

• Phil Jackson on Tex Winter

• Magic Johnson on Scottie Pippen

• Pete Nordstrom on Bob Love

• Barack Obama on Michael Jordan

• Gregg Popovich on Jerry Sloan

• Jerry Reinsdorf on Jerry Krause

• Adam Silver on the 1995-96 Bulls

• Eddie Vedder on Dennis Rodman

• Bill Walton on Artis Gilmore

• Michael Wilbon on Phil Jackson

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• Column: A long-overdue salute by the Bulls to the greatest NBA team of all time

• Bulls Ring of Honor celebration a missed opportunity for Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen to settle yearslong feud

• Photos: Bulls honor inaugural Ring of Honor class

• Bulls greats celebrate the glory years of the franchise with a Ring of Honor gala: ‘I would have hated to have missed this’

• Photos: Bulls Ring of Honor gala at the United Center

• Photos: Meet the 13 Bulls’ inaugural Ring of Honor class

• 5 things to remember about the 1995-96 Bulls ahead of their Ring of Honor induction

• Who should be selected next for the Bulls’ Ring of Honor? 5 potential choices for the future.