When Jimmy Butler took over the Heat’s series against the Bucks and led them to a stunning elimination of the East’s No. 1 seed, it sparked comparisons between him and Michael Jordan. It also sparked other rumors about his relationship with Jordan.
A conspiracy theory about Butler being Jordan’s son is once again gaining traction online. In the wake of Miami’s upset over Milwaukee, dozens of TikTok and YouTube videos have promoted the theory. Some have even racked up more than a million views.
To be clear, the rumor is absolutely false. Butler and Jordan aren’t related, and there is no evidence to suggest they are. But that probably won’t stop the theory from continuing to spread across the internet like wildfire if Butler keeps balling out in the playoffs.
The Sporting News dives into the origins of the bizarre rumor and the truth behind Butler’s family life.
MORE: Jeff Teague reveals new details about the famous Jimmy Butler practice
Is Jimmy Butler Michael Jordan’s son?
No, he is not.
Jimmy Butler III was born in Houston in 1989 to Jimmy Butler II and Londa Butler. His father abandoned the family when he was an infant, and he was raised by his mother in the suburb of Tomball, Texas, until he was 13.
This is where his story takes another sad turn. One day, his mother kicked him out of the house.
“I don’t like the look of you,” Butler recalls her saying. “You gotta go.”
Left to his own devices, he stayed with various friends as long as he could. Eventually, he found a more stable home with his friend, Jordan Leslie. He became a basketball star at Tomball High School before moving to Tyler Junior College and Marquette.
Despite the turmoil in his early years, Butler maintains a relationship with both of his parents.
“I still talk to my family,” he told Chicago Magazine in 2015. “My mom. My father. We love each other. That’s never going to change.”
Where did the Michael Jordan-Jimmy Butler rumor come from?
The theory arose all the way back in 2016 based on another rumor that Jordan has an unidentified son.
That year, a short post on the website TerezOwens.com referenced a “tipster” who claimed Butler might be Jordan’s illegitimate son. Here is the original post, which features numerous typos and grammatical errors:
Jordan Would Not Clam unwanted Child in 1988 in fear of Destroying Marriage! Child took on mothers name of Butler. It was reported he paid mother off so he would not tarnished his public image & Legacy….& role model figure. After 13 years mother kicked Child out of house hold because payments stop…
This is nonsense for a few reasons, but primarily because Butler wasn’t even born until September 1989.
Rumors have swirled for years that Jordan has an illegitimate child, but there has never been any evidence to back up these claims. In 1991, a woman named Karla Knafel claimed that he was the father of her child, but a DNA test proved that wasn’t the case.
Jordan has been married twice. He has five children — three with his first wife, Juanita Vanoy, and two with his second wife, Yvette Prieto.
Like many other internet rumors, the Butler-Jordan conspiracy stems from a debunked claim that has gained traction simply because TikTok and YouTube users found it and decided to promote it.
News
Explore NBA Star Dion Waiters’ Stunning $16.5M Pinecrest Mansion
When healthy, Dion Waiters has demonstrated in the NBA that he is one of the greatest scorers. However, since winning his first NBA title with the Lakers, the member of the All-Rookie First Team has left the league. Despite this,…
Mavs’ Irving reflects on Celtics tenure: ‘I wasn’t my best self’
While getting ready for his third series against the Celtics after leaving Boston, this one in the NBA Finals, the 13-year veteran superstar thought back with nostalgia on his short tenure with the team and expressed regret over some of…
Bryce James makes his father proud with Sierra Canyon’s victory; LeBron embraces his son in joy
Recently, at the Galen Center of USC, Bryce James, the junior son of NBA superstar LeBron James, captivated the crowd while playing high school basketball. Bryce substituted for Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, California) in the first quarter of the Chosen1 Invitational…
The Los Angeles Clippers’ James Harden spoke at the Adidas Eurocamp in Ghirada, Treviso, saying, ‘Guys, you have to live in the gym, sooner or later the opportunity will come’
Bаrbа celebrаted her birthdаy yesterdаy, June 2nd, with the Trevisо hооp stаr (аnd оthers). а legendаry NBа plаyer knоwn аs “never seen” is Jаmes Hаrden. Lоcаted in Lа Ghirаdа, this is аdidаs Eurоcаmp. Excuse me, but I dоn’t understаnd whаt…
Andrew Wіggіns Reveаls Truth About Fаiled Wаrriors Seаson..
The Golden State Warriors had a rough year After a second round exit in 2023, the Golden State Warriors missed the playoffs entirely last season. Losing in the play-in tournament to the Sacramento Kings, the Warriors were sent home much…
Are Lakers Shopping Rui Hachimura On Trade Market?
As is υsυally the case wheп it comes to the Los Aпgeles Lakers, there are coпstaпt rυmors aboυt poteпtial moves aпd trades the team coυld make goiпg iпto this offseasoп. Aпd wheп it comes those deals that coυld happeп, oпe…
End of content
No more pages to load