Chicago%27s most famous figure before the 1980s was the gangster,Al“Scarface”Capone.But in the last two decades Chicago Bulls basketball star Michael Jordan has knocked the legendary crime boss from his pedestal.Almost single-handedly,Jordan turned Chicago%27s image on its head,as the city on the shore of Lake Michigan moved from crime capital to basketball capital of America.Jordan is widely regarded as the sports greatest player,and his retirement announcement in early 1999 came as a blow to the sport and to his millions of fans in America and around the world.

His athleticism and fierce competitiveness frightened his opponents,but his graciousness made him an American and international icon.He is most famous as the face of Nike,the athletics shoe and clothing company whose products he has endorsed for the past decade.

Jordan quickly became a multi-millionaire,thanks to lucrative product endorsement deals such as his Nike promotion.As his fortune grew he put money back into the community,creating a foundation to fund athletics facilities and other projects for children from the inner city of Chicago,his adopted home.Jordan is reported to be the celebrity with whom most American children feel most comfortable,and American adults once placed him fifth on a list of all-time“most respected newsmakers.”

But not everyone thought well of him.Some critics said he set a bad example,on and off the basketball court.He gambled;sometimes he mocked opponents during game and when the Nike company was accused of unfair labour practices,he virtually ignored the controversy.Certain black Americans accused him of dismissing less fortunate blacks,many of whom could not afford the expensive shoes marketed by Nike under the “Air Jordan”brand.

His easy charm ensured that he remained popular with the vast majority of basketball supporters,despite these criticisms.And none of those who criticised his behavior could do the same when it came to his athletic performance.Nobody could undermine his achievements.

Jordan was born on February 17,1963,is 1.98 meters tall and weighs 98kg.College players of the Year in 1983-4,he joined the struggling Chicago Bulls team for the 1984 season.By the next year,the Bulls had started a winning streak.In the 1986 season Jordan shot 3041 points,the third-highest score ever.In 1987 he was named the National Basketball Association (NBA) Slam Dunk Champion.He first won the Most valuable player award in 1988,an honour repeated four times in the 10 years to 1998.He guided his team to six championship wins during the 1990s,scoring 45 points during the sixth and last game of the 1998 NBA finals including the winning point in the game%27s closing seconds.

Over his career,Jordan captured 10 consecutive scoring titles.His jumping ability at goal was matched by excellent court and team play.Jordan retired from the club and the game in 1993,in pursuit of a dream to play basketball,but he returned to the baketball court and the Chicago Bulls in 1995.

In 1996 he was named one of the 50 greatest players in history.