Tyler Reddick addresses Michael Jordan incident with his child at NASCAR race
Tyler Reddick has responded after NBA icon Michael Jordan received backlash for an incident with his son after triumphing at Daytona 500.
Driving for 23XI Racing, co-owned by Jordan and Denny Hamlin, Reddick delivered a first win for the team and his first ever victory at the iconic event.
With help from teammate Riley Herbst, Reddick raced through on the final lap in his Chumba Casino Toyota to cross the finishing line before the rest of the pack and spark euphoric scenes.
However, the main talking point afterwards on social media was a clip which involved Jordan and Beau Reddick, the six-year-old son of his driver Tyler.
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The six-time NBA champion was seen performing a pinching motion on the youngster's t-shirt, which appeared wet from the champagne celebrations.
He then looked to playfully graze his fingers over the back of the boy's legs and some users online called out what they felt was wrongdoing.
Despite the backlash from some corners, Reddick, who has long and fruitful relationship with Jordan, completely dismissed the claims made.
"From my perspective, I've gotten to know Michael and his family very well over the years I've been here with 23XI, and I don't see what other people see when it comes to this," Reddick said on Stephen A. Smith's Sirius XM radio show.
"For me, it's a huge moment; this is the biggest moment of my career. It's a huge moment for my family and for his family.
"And I just put that off to the side and think about the look on (Michael Jordan's wife) Yvette's face and the whole family and his whole group when they got to victory lane too, and just how happy everybody was celebrating together.
"So, that's where I'm at with it."
In addition, Reddick's representatives added, “We’re not going to talk about that,” when TMZ approached him for a response to the incident in question.
Jordan due seventh championship ring after Daytona win
Jordan is yet to address the clip but did express his delight at finally seeing his team pick up a Daytona win. He already has six rings to his collection from his Hall of Fame NBA career but is now due a seventh ring.
The ring will be diamond-incrusted, in the style of Super Bowl mementos, and includes details such as a chequered flag and official 23XI Racing branding.
Reddick gets one and so too does owner Jordan, with no date confirmed for the official presentation.
"I mean, you never know how these races gonna end right? It's like you're just try to survive," he told FOX reporters after the victory.
"I thought Riley [Herbst] did an unbelievable job by pushing at the end.
"Yeah, that shows you what teamwork can really, really do. He didn't get enough credit. He won't get enough credit, but we feel the love. We understand exactly what he did.
“I mean, we just hung in there all day. Great strategy by the team and we gave ourselves a chance at the end. Look I'm ecstatic. I don't even know what to say. It feels like I won a championship, but until I get my ring I won't even know."
LADbible Group has contacted Jordan and Reddick's representatives for comment.
Topics: Michael Jordan, NBA
Josh Lawless