Retired Jersey Numbers Tradition

Lore & Background

Jerry Sloan played for the Bulls from 1966 to 1976 and later served as head coach. His number 4 was retired by the Bulls for his contributions as both a player and a coach. Michael Jordan's #23 was officially unretired in 1995 to allow him to wear it again upon his return; after his final retirement in 2003, the number was re-retired.

In Their Own Story

The arena plunges into a hush, broken only by the swelling swell of a familiar anthem. High above the scorer's table, the crimson spotlight catches the fabric of number 23, hanging suspended in silence like a sacred artifact. A young fan, eyes wide and finger trembling as he points upward, whispers to his father, 'That's him.' Below, a current player dribbles past the baseline, running beneath the ghost of greatness itself, unaware that he is treading on hallowed ground. In that breathless pause, history isn't just read in books; it hangs in the air, tangible and heavy as dust motes dancing in the spotlight, reminding everyone that while rosters change, the legends remain.

Reader's Guide

It confirms that Jerry Sloan's number was retired for his playing career with the Bulls, and that Michael Jordan's #23 was retired.

Did You Know?

• Jerry Sloan was a player for the Bulls from 1966 to 1976 and later returned as head coach; his number 4 honors both roles.
• Michael Jordan's #23 was officially unretired in 1995 so he could wear it again, then re-retired after his final retirement in 2003.
• The Bulls have unretired and re-retired a jersey number, making Jordan's #23 a unique case in franchise history.