Jordan Bronzed in Frenzied Farewell Celebration

With a bronze statue unveiled outside the stadium and a No. 23 jersey raised to the rooftop, Chicago said farewell Tuesday night to the best basketball player this city--and possibly this sport--has ever known.

For two hours, teammates, opponents, fans, former coaches, entertainers and family celebrated and lauded not only Michael Jordan’s basketball career but also his life.

It was glitzy. It was made-for-TV. It was loud. At times the salute to the man who led the Chicago Bulls to three straight championships before retiring 13 months ago gushed.

After the festivities, Jordan reiterated that his basketball days were over.

“When I made the decision I was fixed with that, pretty firm with it,” he said.

“With that number hanging up, that puts that to rest. I’ve got to move on. There’s a new team here. I’m playing baseball.”

During the celebration Tuesday night, North Carolina Coach Dean Smith and comedian Sinbad shared the same stage, actor Woody Harrelson joined his fellow “Cheers” stars George Wendt and Kelsey Grammer in a musical tribute and master of ceremonies Ahmad Rashad jokingly tried to coax Jordan back to basketball.

Jordan’s highlights--an NCAA championship, two Olympic gold medals, three MVPs in the regular season and three in the NBA finals--flashed across the scoreboard in the new United Center before a near sellout crowd.

And Jordan’s No. 23 was retired. Jordan ended the ceremony by hoisting it to the ceiling as his three children stood by.

Proceeds from the celebration will go toward construction of a boys and girls club on Chicago’s west side. The facility will be named for Jordan’s father.