Michael Jordan under fire after viral Daytona 500 celebration clip sparks inappropriate touch debate
Six-time NBA champion Michael Jordan is under scrutiny after a brief moment during celebrations at the Daytona 500 went viral and sparked accusations of inappropriate behavior.
Jordan was at the track Sunday as 23XI Racing, the NASCAR organization he co-owns with Denny Hamlin, secured its first Daytona 500 victory. Driver Tyler Reddick delivered a dramatic late push to claim the win, prompting emotional celebrations among team members and their families.
During the post-race festivities, cameras captured a short clip that appears to show Jordan briefly placing his hand on or pinching the lower back area of Reddick’s young son, Beau. The interaction lasted only seconds, but slowed-down footage and screenshots quickly spread across social media platforms.
WHAT IS MJ DOING? 😳 pic.twitter.com/mXX0mYnLTe
Some viewers criticized the gesture as inappropriate and questioned the optics of the moment. Others argued it appeared to be a playful tap taken out of context during a chaotic celebration.
Several online posts referenced Jordan’s middle name, “Jeffrey,” drawing comparisons to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. There is no evidence linking Jordan to any wrongdoing, and the comparisons were based solely on the shared name.
He has “Jeffrey” as his middle name #ReleasetheMJfiles
— 🪮 (@wrldofBron) February 16, 2026Don’t tell me MJ is on #TheList
— 𝙃𝙀𝘼𝙏 𝙉𝘼𝙏𝙄𝙊𝙉 (@HeatvsHaters) February 16, 2026Michael Jeffery Epstein Jordan pic.twitter.com/5dKXwadXao
As of Monday, neither Jordan nor 23XI Racing had publicly commented on the backlash.
The controversy shifted attention away from what was otherwise a landmark achievement for the organization. Founded in 2021, 23XI Racing has steadily built toward a breakthrough moment at NASCAR’s most prestigious race. Reddick’s victory marked a major milestone for the team and for Jordan’s expanding presence in motorsports.
Despite the online debate, the clip represents only a brief fragment of a larger celebration that was centered on a long-awaited win.