1985-86 Michael Jordan Authentic Game Jersey Bulls Signed – COA UDA & 100% Authentic Team

Michael Jordan’s second season in 1985-86 was cut short when he broke his foot in the third game of the year, causing him to miss 64 games. The Bulls made the playoffs despite Jordan’s injury and a 30–52 record, at the time the fifth worst record of any team to qualify for the playoffs in NBA history. Jordan recovered in time to participate in the postseason and performed well upon his return. Against a 1985–86 Boston Celtics team that is often considered one of the greatest in NBA history, Jordan set the still-unbroken record for points in a playoff game with 63 in Game 2. The Celtics, however, managed to sweep the series.

Presented is an authentic Michael Jordan Bulls jersey that dates to the 1985-86 era. The jersey was proudly autographed on the back number by Jordan in black felt tip (“9-10”).

It was signed on that date, it was at the FIRST Michael Jordan SENIOR Flight School in Las Vegas.  I was able to play with Jordan, and after the Flight School, he allowed each camper to present 2 things to sign.  I presented this jersey to him, and the UDA representative was there next to him and hologrammed it.

The unique jersey is dated to the 1985-86 era based on the Rawlings wash tag instructions on the tail.  In 1984-85, the wash tag instructions read “Do Not Dry Clean” whereas the 1985-86  instructions read: “Machine Wash Warm”. Also to note (in dating), Rawlings tags in 1985-86 also were only sewn on the ends versus the previous year which was sewn on all four sides. Known examples of the tagging of a 1985-86 Bulls game jersey would be on a George Gervin sold in a previous auction. It’s also notable that the NBA logo appeared the following season on jerseys as this one is absent here as well as on the Gervin that sold in auction.

Across the chest of the jersey reads “BULLS” screened on in red on black. Below and on the back is Jordan’s number “23” in red on black applied with heat pressed vinyl. “JORDAN” is across the back in red also applied with heat pressed vinyl. There is an evident outline of a “23” on the front next to the smaller one. This is a similar style outline showcased in the previously mentioned Gervin jersey sold at auction. Gervin’s jersey had a numeral change and this one stayed the same (no change) “23” but went smaller.

Although not worn by Jordan in a game, the white mesh Bulls jersey is authentic and a similar team style of the early career of “His Airness” within the 1985-86 era. Team specifications were different when it came to Bulls game jerseys. For example, on this one the “BULLS” font on the front is higher up on the chest toward the seam versus more of a drop (length) on game jerseys. Also notable, is this one has a closer placement of the “23” to “BULLS”. There are also seasonal differences on the identifier font style itself.

However, the jersey is remarkable in consideration of the current viewing of “The Last Dance” on ESPN. The style captures what Michael Jordan was early in his career — relentless and tough especially constricted during a limited play season. Plus, in it being an authentic  (from the Bulls locker room) autographed jersey makes it a true rarity.

Authentication: JSA Full Letter, Upper Deck & 100% Authentic Team