Mark Vancil recalls MJ's dark humor when driving 110mph with him in his sports car: 'I am going to die with Michael Jordan'

Mark Vancil has often offered rare glimpses into Michael Jordan's private world. The editor behind some of the Hall of Famer's most iconic moments in print spent years navigating the intersection of the basketball legend's career and his off-court persona.

Their collaboration on "Rare Air"—a book offering an intimate look at the life of the Chicago Bulls legend—cemented a relationship built on mutual trust and Vancil's ability to capture the essence of the six-time NBA champion without sensationalism.

This gave the sports journalist access to stories few would ever hear. But one particular anecdote from a late-night car ride in North Carolina unveils Jordan's dark humor and penchant for living on the edge, literally and metaphorically.

Rough drive

It was a Sunday night, late enough that most people would be winding down their weekends, but not MJ. According to the journalist, they were in North Carolina during a weekend golf tournament where No. 23 had been entertaining friends and business associates.

Mark had already spent two days chasing the five-time MVP down, desperate to pin him down for book-related work. By the time they hit the road, MJ decided to make the drive anything but routine.

"We finally leave this hotel at 10:30 on a Sunday night, and we have to drive to some other city, and its pitch black two-lane highway," Vancil said. "And these guys were running right up on each other and messing with each other at 110 mph, and I'm sitting in the passenger seat with Michael… He says, 'What's wrong? You nervous? I said, 'Well, I was until I realized I was going to die, but I'm gonna die with Michael Jordan. He didn't even pause, 'You know why the paper would say, 'Michael Jordan and an unnamed passenger.'"

This story is just one of many that the senior sports editor has shared over the years, offering a rare glimpse into the man behind the global icon. Their relationship, forged over long hours of work and shared experiences, has given fans a deeper appreciation for No. 23's layered personality.

A page into the life

The sports editor has worked with MJ on many iconic books and often finds himself in situations highlighting the Bulls legend's multifaceted personality. One such encounter was the equally thrilling and terrifying drive on the North Carolina highway.