Michael Jordan: Unfiltered. Weeks prior to his first marriage and in the heart of the 1989 Eastern Conference Finals, MJ pours out his heart to an old flame in a way never seen before in this amazing 20-page handwritten letter!
We are proud to present one of the most intriguing and insightful Michael Jordan memorabilia pieces to ever hit the open market.
In May of 1989, Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls were up against a Goliath of a challenge in the form of the Detroit Pistons in the NBA Eastern Conference Finals. Figuring out a way to beat the "Bad Boy" Pistons was a mighty task for the young Jordan, but as the offered letter shows, it certainly wasn't the only thing weighing on his mind at that time. Approximately a year prior, Jordan had to break off a love affair with a woman he had been seeing at the time, Amy Hunter, as he had discovered that his regular girlfriend, Juanita Vanoy, was pregnant with his child. Upon learning of Vanoy's pregnancy, Jordan abruptly ended his affair with Hunter. While Jordan ultimately decided to do what was best for his image and proceed with planning to marry the mother of his child, he had apparently fallen deeply in love with Amy Hunter and, based on the content of this letter, had a difficult time grappling with his decision for quite some time.
Despite being in the midst of the Eastern Conference Finals, and just months away from marrying Juanita Vanoy, the anguish of the situation apparently became too much for MJ, compelling him to write this amazing letter. Penned on Guest Quarters Suites stationary from Troy, MI (where the Bulls stayed during their series against the Pistons), this letter shows an incredible insight into Jordan's mindset at that time. Not only does Jordan express his torn feelings regarding his romantic situation with Ms. Hunter, he also gives a rare insight into the pressures he felt in becoming one of the biggest sports stars in the world. Accomplished on a total of 19 pages (20 handwritten pages with the back page being penned front and back), this epic letter reads in full:
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Read this first
Dear Amy,
I received your letter yesterday and I was sadden a little but also happy to see and understand what you write. As much as I hate to say it, you were right and I was wrong.
Amy I know I don’t write very often but I decided to write instead of calling you because it hurt me that I brought so much pain to you. Every way I turn I bring pain to someone I love so much. Looking back, last year must‘ve been so terrible for you. I put you on a rollercoaster.
Amy, sometimes I am the most selfish person on this earth because for one whole year all I thought about was Michael, not even thinking about you and the situation you were going through and had to deal with. Right now I feel so low about the whole situation of you and I. I wish we had never met not because of you, but because of me and the situations of my life. Amy let me explain what I mean about my situations.
Amy when I met you I was in a transitional period in my life. I didn‘t want to settle down but I didn’t want to be alone. So I was looking for someone to keep me company. But no added pressure on me. But now looking back I couldn't have that and be happy
Amy I have learned that being in that situation you must be able to deal with a lot of opportunities. Opportunities in reference to women, opportunities in reference to business, opportunities in reference to status and everything that comes along with it. So you see I had everything a young man could ever dream about. Some people would say I was in heaven, but you know what I have learned from being in a situation that everybody would love to be in as a part of. You learn how to be selfish and hurt others. You become this way without even knowing it. It‘s like you are on drugs or something. You’re blind and you don‘t have a care in the world. You don‘t the realize the feelings of others and the pain that‘s involved. Frankly you are a selfish addicted asshole. [underlined 3 times]
Amy, I bet you‘re wondering well what does this have to do with me. Amy you happen to meet me during that transitional period of my life. You stood out like a rose in a flowerbed. All I wanted from this. On was you. I wanted you real bad. Then I would do almost anything to have you. But once I got you, I didn‘t take care of something precious.
As you, I messed around, spinning my wheels never going anywhere, just staying in one spot. Let me give a simulation. I was like a kid who saw a toy and would do anything to get this toy. But once he gets this toy he plays with it for a while and then lay it down expect it to never get old. But remains new even if he doesn‘t play with it. Then he decides to play with some old toys but still think his new toy will always be new. After a while of playing with his old and familiar toy he turns to play with his new toy again. Then his mother comes in and says you must get rid of some of your toys so it comes down to keeping the old toy or keeping the new toy. Unfortunately he chooses the old toy and gets rid of the new toy. Time passes by and he realized he kept the wrong toy but it‘s too late to change his mind. So what happened *?* Amy this is where I am with you. I admit I made a mistake but found it very difficult to change it. Let‘s say I do change the mistake. You would not believe the problems we would encounter. It is unthinkable. We wouldn‘t have a pleasant relationship or a private one. Our business up for opinions by the whole world. This is a pressure I can‘t live with. The pressures are already difficult enough. I can‘t imagine more pressure so you see I am in a sort of catch 22. I don‘t win either way.
Amy, if I was Michael Jordan, the ordinary man with a 9 to 5 job then it wouldn‘t be hard to admit my mistake. But instead I am Michael Jordan who is put on a pedestal and viewed to be the perfect role model.
A lot of people, not just kids but whole families. Can you imagine the responsibilities that I have to deal with. Not to mention a baby by a lady who I have loved for 3 ½ years. My first real love unfortunately we went through a period of frustration, anger, and myself wanting to change my life. But even through those problems I still cared for her even when I met you I tried to hate her but I couldn’t.
Amy I realized I still cared for her but I care a lot for you. I even fell in love with you but that‘s when the trouble began. I couldn‘t decide what I wanted. I was the kid in the candy store
Once again.
Amy the perfect solution for this would be to move to Utah and practice polygamy, but our society would accept and neither would I. So what do you do. I tried to establish a friendship but it‘s hard to be in love with someone and be their friend. I understand it too painful but does that mean we must hate each other and don‘t speak. I hope not. I could never find it in my heart to hate you.
Amy I love you so much!!! Well I know this was long but I think you deserve a long letter. It‘s so much more I want to say but I tire of writing plus there‘s no more paper.
BACK
Amy, I will always love you until the day I die!!
Michael
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Accompanying this letter is a personal envelope from Jordan, postmarked July 11, 1989. Given the approximation of when the letter was written (May 1989), Jordan had apparently written the letter and then decided to sit on it for several weeks before finally deciding to send it. From his conflicted feelings of love, to his insights on the pressures and pitfalls of his fame, to the wild and desperate notions on how to make it work loving two women at the same time (Polygamy--really Michael???), this letter undoubtedly stands as one of the most remarkable pieces of Michael Jordan memorabilia to ever surface in the marketplace.
Written entirely in Jordan's hand in graphite pencil, the letter showcases an impressive three signatures from Jordan (Two "Michael Jordan" signatures and 1 "Michael" variations). Additionally, the envelope accompanying the letter also showcases a bold blue ink signature from Jordan on the reverse--bringing the total amount of signature in this offering to an impressive count of four! Aside from some light toning to the pages and expected handling from mailing, this letter and the accompanying envelope stand in excellent condition. Accompanied by dual Letters of Authenticity from Beckett Authentication Services (BAS) and James Spence Authentication (JSA).