Nascar star Tyler Reddick breaks silence on NBA legend Michael Jordan’s viral moment with six year old son after Daytona 500 win (Image via Getty) Tyler Reddick did not stay quiet for long. After winning the Daytona 500, the biggest race in NASCAR, the focus quickly shifted from his stunning last-lap victory to a short video of NBA legend Michael Jordan celebrating with Reddick’s six-year-old son, Beau. The clip spread fast online. In the video, Jordan, who co-owns 23XI Racing, is seen celebrating in Victory Lane in Florida. At one point, he appears to reach toward Beau’s lower back area during the wild celebration. Some people questioned what they saw. Others said Jordan was simply brushing ice out of the child’s shirt after drinks were sprayed in the chaos. As the debate grew, the Daily Mail said it contacted Michael Jordan’s representatives, NASCAR, and 23XI Racing for comment. A few days later, Reddick shared his thoughts during an appearance on Stephen A. Smith’s Sirius XM radio show.
Tyler Reddick defends NBA legend Michael Jordan after Daytona 500 victory with 23XI Racing
Tyler Reddick made it clear he did not see anything wrong.“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.He reminded listeners how big the moment was.“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,” he said.Reddick then explained what stood out to him that night.“And I just put that off to the side and think about the look on 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.”The race itself was dramatic. Tyler Reddick, driving a Toyota for 23XI Racing, led only one lap on Sunday, the final one. He became the 25th different driver to lead a lap in that race, setting a new Daytona 500 record. After crossing the finish line, Jordan hugged him tightly. The two later lifted the Harley J. Earl Trophy together.Jordan, who turned 63 that week, joked about waiting for his Daytona 500 ring. “It feels like I won a championship, but until I get my ring, I won’t even know,” he said. He also shared that he wears a size 13.The win meant even more because last season was tough for Reddick. He did not win a race and spent much of his time focused on his infant son, Rookie, who had a tumor in his chest that affected his heart.Michael Jordan’s team had also just settled a federal antitrust lawsuit with NASCAR days earlier. NASCAR chairman Jim France came to Victory Lane to congratulate the team.“I can’t even believe it. It was so gratifying,” Michael Jordan said. “You never know how these races are going to end. You just try to survive. We hung in there all day. Great strategy by the team, and we gave ourselves a chance at the end. Look, I’m ecstatic.”