When you take the air into the Smithsonian Institution ’s sword - newNational Museum of African American History and Culture(NMAAHC ) this gloam , you ’ll see the name of one of history ’s most famous athletes beautify a section of the museum ’s Sports Gallery .
sooner this week , the NMAAHC announcedthat retired basketball game playerMichael Jordanwill donate $ 5 million to the institution — the heavy gift the Smithsonian ’s 19th museum has get from a sport asterisk , CBS Sports reports . To observe Jordan ’s part , a portion of the veranda will now be call “ The Michael Jordan Hall : Game Changers . ” The jock will also donate a game - worn 1996 NBA Finals home jersey to the NMAAHC ’s permanent collection .
The hall , the Smithsonian said in a news dismissal , “ is consecrate to the people and institutions whose actions changed their sport , transcended their game and translate society . ” Jordan will be one of the “ plot changers ” spotlight in the showing , along with tennis greatAlthea Gibson , Olympian gold - winning track - and - field starJesse Owens , and 14 other athletes .
“ I am grateful for the chance to support this museum , ” Jordan saidin a statement . “ I also am indebted to the historical contributions of community leaders and athlete such as Jesse Owens , whose talent , dedication and perseverance dampen racial barrier and laid the foundation for the successful careers of so many African Americans in athletics and beyond . ”
Jordan is n’t the only famous figure of speech to donate money or artifacts to theNMAAHC , which was first established in 2003 and is the only national museum to exclusively sharpen on African American life , account , and culture . Oprah Winfreyhas given$13 million to the institution , prompting the NMAAHC to name their 350 - seat theater the “ Oprah Winfrey Theater . ” Meanwhile , visitant will soon also get to see funk fable George Clinton ’s infamous alien spacecraft stage prop , theP - Funk Mothership , along witha saxophone owned by malarky musician John Coltrane(donated by his son , Ravi Coltrane ) andcountless other artifact .
The NMAAHC is slated to open on September 24 , 2016 . For more info , impose its website .
[ h / tCBS Sports ]
Know of something you think we should pass over ? Email us at tips@mentalfloss.com .
