It’s not every day that a global basketball icon reveals allegiance to a football team – but that’s exactly what Chicago Bulls icon Michael Jordan has done.
In a surprising turn, the legend confirmed that his favorite NFL team growing up was the Cincinnati Bengals. Fans and pundits alike were caught off guard by the announcement, but the story behind it adds depth to Jordan’s personal sports history.
The revelation traces to NBC analyst and former Bengals wide receiver Cris Collinsworth, who recalled an unexpected moment during a golf-related gathering.
He said: “So we’re at NBC and we just played his golf course … Michael was there… apparently, he told the group, ‘You know, I grew up a Bengals fan back in that era – we used to watch them all the time.'”
The admission, casual as it may have been, immediately lit up social media and sports commentary. Why? Because for many, the Bengals weren’t the obvious pick for Jordan.
He hails from North Carolina, played college at UNC, and built his basketball fame in Chicago. Yet his football loyalty apparently lay elsewhere.
Collinsworth’s presentation of the anecdote lent weight: he framed it not as a quip but as a recollection tied to how Jordan viewed football in his youth.
Why the Bengals? A look into Jordan’s football identity
The Cincinnati Bengals were not a powerhouse franchise during Jordan’s childhood, but they had enough presence on the national stage to have fans living in other states.
Jordan’s admission suggests a deep respect for the team’s history and a fondness that survived decades.
This isn’t the first time that Jordan’s off-court interests have revealed unexpected crossovers. From golf to business to media, he’s rarely confined to one narrative. But declaring a football fandom puts him in rare company – few NBA legends openly root for NFL teams.
Fans of the Bengals seized on the revelation with pride. For some, it emphasized the franchise’s reach and cultural resonance.
Is Michael Jordan still a Bengals fan?
For others, it sparked playful debates about whether Jordan still carries that loyalty today, or whether it was a childhood fandom he’s since moved on from.
Some speculated that the comment reflects less about ongoing support and more about identity during his formative years.
Timing also helps. The Bengals have enjoyed competitive seasons, making playoff appearances, and building strong narratives around star players and franchise identity, although 2025/26 has been a struggle.
Jordan’s revelation dovetails neatly, adding intrigue and perhaps a symbolic nod to the team’s resurgence. Whether this is vintage fandom or a revived allegiance, it gives fans reason to talk.
For one of the greatest athletes ever to live, a small declaration about childhood preference reminds us that even legends had teams they cheered for – ones rooted not in geography or professional ties, but in pure fandom.
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