When Michael Jordan entered the NBA as a rookie it wasnt just his freakish athleticism and uber-competitive drive that caught everyones eyes. It was also his kicks. Heres your chance to bid on an incredibly rare game-worn pair of Nike Air Jordan 1s that date from his rookie year (1984-85) to the end of his second year (1985-86) with the Chicago Bulls. Jordan gifted these incredible gamers to a Madison Square Garden security guard he befriended over the course of many road games vs. the New York Knicks during that period.

Coming off an Olympic Gold Medal with USA Basketball at the 1984 Games and a storied college career at the University of North Carolina that included a National Title in 1982 Jordan was drafted 3rd overall by the Chicago Bulls in 1984. He made an immediate splash in his first season earning an All-Star appearance winning Rookie of the Year and leading the Bulls to the playoffs after a four-year absence. Jordan averaged 28.2 points 6.5 rebounds and 5.9 assists and shot over 50% from the field as a Rookie! In his second year Jordan broke his left foot in the third game and missed almost the entire regular season. He returned late in the season in time for the Bulls playoff series against the Boston Celtics. For the second year in a row the Bulls were swept in the first round. In Game 2 however facing the best team in the NBA MJ scored a playoff-record 63 points in what Larry Bird called the greatest individual performance he had ever seen. The record still stands today one of many Jordan would accumulate on his way to becoming the best basketball player to ever live.

Nikes release of new Air Jordan sneakers each year creates the largest buzz and consumer craze in the shoe industry. It all started with the original Air Jordan 1 Red/Black colorways that matched the Bulls team colors released to the public in 1985. Due to rules regarding shoe colors NBA Commissioner David Stern banned the original AJ-1s for not having any white. Jordan wore them anyway in his Rookie season and was fined $5000 each time he stepped on the court. Nike gladly paid the fine and used this as a strategic marketing ploy to capitalize on the outlaw branding of their creation. Shortly thereafter Nike produced an AJ-1 colorway with red black and white that Jordan could wear without getting fined. Featured before you is a game-worn pair of that AJ-1 style which MJ wore for the remainder of his Rookie year and for the majority of his Sophomore season.

The red white and black body of the sneakers shows great wear with some red-stained rub marks above the toes on each one. The soles are not as worn but show tread consistent with good game-use. The Nike swoosh and early Air Jordan wings logo on the outside of each ankle are in black as are the laces which are in remarkably good shape. The Nike Air tag inside each tongue gives company trademark info in English and French with a Made in Rep. of Korea flag tag. The right shoe is a size 13 and the left is a size 13.5. Jordan is known to have different size feet and would often wear shoes of different sizes. There is a customized cushion built in to the left insole something either Nike or Jordan himself added perhaps to provide extra support for his surgically repaired left foot. There also is additional padding on the interior with an unknown material stuffed inside each ankle.

Jordan has signed the right side of each ankle in 8/10 black ballpoint pen and personalized each one To Davethe name of the Madison Square Garden security guard and source of these amazing game-used specimens. This lucky man got to know many former Knicks and opposing players including Jordan Magic and Dr. J on a personal level during their many visits to the Garden in the 1980s. He is still employed there today.

Includes a Letter of Provenance from the MSG security guard.

Pre-certified by PSA/DNA.