Michael Jordan reveals why he was happy to retire and get his life back: 'This is not your time; this is my time now'

The money and fame that sports superstars enjoy open the doors to many life opportunities and desires that an ordinary person can only dream of. However, the flip side of the same coin is that they are constantly in the media spotlight, with every private step tracked, and going out in public places can often be impossible due to the hoards of fans wanting pictures, autographs, or just a quick chat.

Therefore, when their careers inevitably come to an end, it's not surprising when these global icons escape from their admirers. You can ask Michael Jordan about that.

After winning six NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls and following a brief and, by his standards, unsuccessful tenure with the Washington Wizards, Jordan decided to step away from the public eye—at least as much as his globally renowned status would allow.

"From the public," Mike answered when asked from whom he is trying to "take his life back."

"For years you find yourself doing things for them. Trying to appease them, you know. When you are out in public, and they come up, and they want to meet, greet and say hello, sign autographs. But, I want them to understand this is my time. This is not your time, this is my time now," the Bulls icon added.

Rockstar-like popularity

There is no doubt in mind that Jordan elevated the NBA to a whole new stratosphere, both with his performances on the court, which had never been seen before, and with his charisma off of it.

Fans adored him, and he gave his all to balance his professional and private life at the time. But this wasn't only the case in the United States of America. Basketball became a global phenomenon thanks to "His Airness," and the best proof of this is the testimony of his eccentric Bulls teammate Dennis Rodman, who felt like the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, two of the most iconic bands of that time, wherever the MJ and the team went.

"When we get off the plane, you see hundreds and hundreds of people. You go to the hotel, you see thousands of people. We thought we was like The Beatles or Rolling Stones on the bus and going to the hotel. So I was like, 'Damn,'" "The Worm" once recalled.

Jordan stepped away from the media

Although difficult to imagine for most, Jordan was understandably exhausted from all of the publicity, so it's no surprise that he was eager to get his life back. That's why, after his final retirement, "The Black Jesus'" media appearances are few and in between. And the man many consider the greatest of all time is rightfully enjoying the fruits of his labor

Although he ventured into owning the Charlotte Hornets and achieved a significant return on investment, it seems that we won't be seeing Mike in any new adventures around the Association anytime soon.