Michael Jordan forced to miss Chris Chelios’ Blackhawks jersey retirement ‘due to a death in the family’ as the basketball great sends a video message to his long-time friend

Michael Jordan was forced to miss Chicago Blackhawks legend Chris Chelios’ jersey retirement ceremony on Sunday due to a death in the family.

A month after he curiously skipped the Bulls’ Ring of Honor ceremony at the United Center amid friction with former teammate Scottie Pippen, Jordan was scheduled to return to the venue to show his support for his old friend. Chelios.

The pair have enjoyed a close relationship dating back to their respective playing days in Chicago, meaning the basketball great was planning to see his famous Blackhawks No. 7 jersey retired this weekend.

However, according to Charlie Roumeliotis, NBC journalistJordan was forced to miss the Chelios ceremony after announcing that he is currently dealing with a death in the family.

Instead, the Bulls icon delivered a video message to his close friend that night, where he revealed the reason he missed the event while on a golf course.

Chelios saw his famous Blackhawks No. 7 jersey retired in a special ceremony

It is currently unclear which member of Jordan’s family died.

Chelios revealed that the former Bulls star was due to attend his jersey retirement ceremony during an interview with WSCR-AM 670’s ‘Mully and Haugh Show’ last week.

“I’m going to have them try to bring in everyone I can who has had an impact on me and obviously [Jordan] “It was a big part of my ’90s,” he said.

‘They are going to be here to support me. I’ve gotten a pretty good Rolodex throughout my career, so I’m carrying it around. This is one last hurray and I’m going to do it right.

Dressed all in black and surrounded by family, friends and former teammates, Chelios blew kisses to the cheering crowd after being introduced.

Fans greeted the Chicago native with chants of ‘Cheli! Cheli!’ as the current Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings watched from the sidelines.

Unlike Jordan, former Bulls star Dennis Rodman (center) was at the United Center for the ceremony.

“As a kid growing up in Chicago, I had no expectations of becoming a professional hockey player,” he said. “It just wasn’t the thing back then. … I played it because I loved it. That’s all it was.

Chelios, 62, played for his hometown team from 1990 until he was traded to Detroit in March 1999. He scored 92 goals and 395 assists in 664 regular-season games with the Blackhawks. He remains the team’s career leader with 1,495 penalty minutes.

Unlike Jordan, former Bulls forward Dennis Rodman was at the United Center for Chelios’ ceremony on Sunday.