Michael Jordan once gave away full year's salary after being moved by tragic event

NBA legend Michael Jordan donated an eye-watering amount of cash to an important cause after he came out of retirement in 2001.

Jordan, 61, was known for his win-at-all-costs mentality on the field, and he was not afraid to upset opponents during his trophy-laden NBA career.

The five-time MVP is widely regarded as the GOAT (greatest of all time) and arguably even considered to be one of the greatest sportspeople to play professionally.

But in 1993, he hung up his sneakers and called time on his hugely impressive career.

He traded the basketball court for the baseball field and turned out for Birmingham Barons in 1994, but this was his only professional season in the sport before coming out of retirement and returning to basketball in 1995.

In the next three years, he led the Chicago Bulls to three straight championships before once again retiring in 1998.

However, Jordan was tempted out of retirement for a third time in 2001 when he joined the Washington Wizards before the 2001-02 NBA campaign.

Of course, for the six-time NBA Champion to return to the court, it was reported that he was set to receive millions of dollars. But he made a thoughtful gesture toward a worthy cause.

Jordan announced his return to basketball on September 25, 2001, just two weeks after the 9/11 tragedy, which saw around 3,000 people pass away with thousands more injured.

Michael Jordan made a generous donation to 9/11 victims (Credit:Getty)

"Jordan said he will donate his first year's salary to the victims of the Sep. 11 terrorist attacks,” an article from the Washington Post in 2001 read.

Also, according to a CNN report, the icon donated $100,000 to children affected by the events of September 11, 2001, with many having lost their parents.

The American pledged the rest of his salary to organisations that were set up to help victims of the tragedy.

This was not the first time the NBA legend had donated money to charitable organisations. According to NBA.com, he made a multimillion-dollar donation to the ‘Friends of the Children’ organisation to support their work in Charlotte and Chicago.

Jordan donated $2m to the relief efforts in the wake of Hurricane Florence in 2018. The 61-year-old has also served as an ambassador for Make-A-Wish since 2008 and has donated and raised over $5m for the organisation.