I 'I would love to be back with a little bit bigger fish' - Michael Jordan wasn’t happy after catching a 442 lb monster fish at a tournament

By now, every basketball fan knows, courtesy of 'The Last Dance' documentary, that Michael Jordan's competitive drive extended far beyond the hardwood. Whether in the NBA, on the golf course, or the cards table, "His Airness" was relentlessly determined to improve and outperform anyone who bested him. But when anyone thought his competitive spirit might have limits, the five-time MVP proved it again in 2020 - this time in a fishing tournament.

Michael Jordan wanted to improve on his feat

In 2020, the six-time Finals MVP took his 80-foot-long fishing boat, called 'Catch 23,' to participate in the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament, which was held in North Carolina, wherein anglers from all over the globe participated. The 6'6" shooting guard and his crew reeled in a colossal 442 lbs blue marlin. While it was an impressive catch by any measure, it was only the tournament's sixth-largest fish, boasting a $3.3 million prize pool.

When asked about his team's performance, the ever-competitive Jordan admitted he wasn't satisfied and subtly hinted at his desire to achieve a greater result.

"If I could say this, I would love to be back with a little bit bigger fish," Jordan said. "It's always great to see people come out and support. I've always felt North Carolinians always support their stars. (So) Every chance I get to come home I look forward to it. I appreciate you guys coming out, even though I didn't win right now, thanks for supporting the whole tournament."

Mike probably wanted to win a bigger reward

MJ's comments were unsurprising for those familiar with his relentless pursuit of excellence. For someone known for never settling for mediocrity, the bar was clearly set higher even after catching a fish of such size.

It's worth noting that the tournament awarded significant prizes, including $1.1 million for the largest blue marlin and over $500-,000 for the first boat to catch a 500-pounder. So it seems safe to comprehend that Jordan wasn't just fishing for fun - the 14-time All-Star was eyeing the big rewards.

Whether competing in the NBA Finals or trying his hand in a new area like fishing, Mike remained relentless in his quest to secure meaningful victories. That solidified his legacy as a winner even after his playing days were over.