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Michael Jordan’s ‘Flu Game’ sneakers up for bid in Goldin 100 auction
Michael Jordan was so sick he could hardly stand prior to Game 5 of the 1997 NBA Finals.
He was in bed all day, sweating and vomiting. His head pounded, his stomach ached and he was so dizzy and woozy he could barely see before the game.
Playing in the crucial Game 5 was one of the “most difficult” things he had ever done, Jordan said later. But the greatest player in NBA history refused to give up.
“No matter how sick I was or how tired I was or how low on energy I was, I felt the obligation to my team, to the city of Chicago, to go out and give that extra effort,” Jordan said.
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That led to arguably the greatest game of Jordan’s incredible career. Despite feeling so sick at times that he had to lean on teammate Scottie Pippen for physical support, Jordan scored 38 points, including 15 in the fourth quarter, to lead the Chicago Bulls to a win in what became known as the infamous “Flu Game.” Jordan, who hit the go-ahead three-pointer with 25 seconds remaining, went on to lead the Bulls to its fifth NBA championship.
Jordan signed the Nike Air Jordan sneakers he was wearing that night and gave them to Utah Jazz ball boy Preston Truman after the game. Truman held onto the shoes for 15 years before selling them at auction in 2013.
They are now up for bid again in the Goldin 100 auction, a special auction showcasing 100 rare sports and non-sports collectibles valued at $100,000 or more, including a copy of Superman Comic #1 with a grade of CGC 7.0.
“Our Goldin 100 auction is the most significant auction in Goldin history showcasing the rarest and most valuable collectibles valued at 100K and above,” said Ken Goldin, executive chairman and founder of Goldin. “We call this our Goldin 100 because it includes 100 of the most sought after comic books, trading cards and memorabilia from sports, film and pop culture legends. Regardless of what you collect, there is something for everyone.”
Jordan’s sneakers from the “Flu Game” already has a bid of $1 million.
Also available is a 1996-97 Jordan game-worn Chicago Bulls black alternate road uniform with a current bid of $240,000.
Other rare sports items highlighted in the auction include:
• A 1928 Ty Cobb game-used bat with a current bid of $500,000.
• A Kobe Bryant game-used jersey from Game 1 of the 2010 NBA Finals ($335,000).
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• A 2018 game-worn LeBron James Cleveland Cavaliers jersey from June 3, 2018, when he surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for second on the all-time NBA Finals scoring list ($130,000).
• A 1955 Roberto Clemente rookie card graded PSA 9 ($510,000).
• A 2003-04 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection LeBron James Rookie Patch Auto card ($400,000).
• A 2009 Bowman Chrome Draft Picks Mike Trout Rookie Auto card ($325,000).
• A 2004-05 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection LeBron James/Kobe Bryant Dual Logoman Auto card ($500,000).
• A 2000 Playoff Contenders Championship Ticket Tom Brady rookie card graded BGS 9/Auto 10 ($900,000).
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• A Jackie Robinson game-used bat from the 1955 World Series ($240,000).
