In 1993, Don Calhoun found himself at the center of attention when he successfully made a three-quarter-court shot during a Chicago Bulls half-time contest, which had a prize of $1 million up for grabs. The event organizers and the insurance company had deemed the chances of someone actually winning the lofty prize money to be less than 1%. However, to everyone’s surprise, Calhoun emerged as the winner as just the 20th contestant in the contest.
Soon after his victory, Calhoun discovered that there might be an issue with him receiving his prize money. The insurance company responsible for covering the payout attempted to back out of making the payment. This was due to one of the stipulations for the contest, which stated that the winner couldn’t have participated in organized basketball for the past five years.
Calhoun had filled out the form to claim his prize money with full honesty, revealing that he had played college basketball only three years prior to the contest. This disclosure put him in a tricky situation and put his winnings at risk.
As fate would have it, Michael Jordan stepped in to assist Calhoun in securing his winnings. Jordan’s involvement and support led to a successful outcome for Calhoun, who was eventually able to claim the $1 million prize he had rightfully won during the half-time contest.
This incredible story demonstrates how determination and perseverance can overcome unexpected hurdles. It is a testament to Calhoun’s bravery and honesty, as well as the role that Jordan played in ensuring a positive outcome for him.
