I guess if you sort of look like Michael Jordan, you might as well try and make some money from the multi-million dollar athlete, right? Well that’s exactly what Portland bus driver Allen Heckard did on June 29, filing suit
I guess if you sort of look like Michael Jordan, you might as well try and make some money from the multi-million dollar athlete, right?
Well that’s exactly what Portland bus driver Allen Heckard did on June 29, filing suit against Jordan and Nike founder Phil Knight for $832 million, saying he is tired of being mistaken for His Airness.
For the past 15 years, Heckard claims his similar looks to Jordan has altered his life in more ways than one.
“I’m constantly being accused of looking like Michael and it makes it very uncomfortable for me,” Heckard said to Portland TV station KGW.
Heckard is suing Jordan for defamation and permanent injury, emotional pain and suffering.
He is suing Knight for defamation and permanent injury for promoting Jordan and making him one of the world’s most famous athletes.
Heckard, who bears a physical resemblance to Jordan, said he has a shaved head, an earring in his left ear and is in good physical shape from playing basketball.
“Even when I go to the gym, I’m being accused of playing ball like him (Jordan),” Heckard said.
But sometimes he loves the constant compliments.
“Yes, don’t get me wrong, it’s definitely a positive thing because Michael, like I say, is one of the best ball players that I’ve known to play the game,” Heckard said. “But then again, that’s Michael and I’m me, so I want to be recognized as me just like Michael’s being recognized as Michael.”
Heckard also wears blue Air Jordan tennis shoes, which he said is pure coincidence.
“They’re very comfortable shoes to play ball in,” he said. “I play a lot of basketball and any other shoes I try to play in tend to hurt the bottom of my feet.”
Heckard is certainly a heckler when it comes down to the amount of the suit.
“Well, you figure with my age and you multiply that times seven and then I turn around and I figure that’s what it all boils down to,” Heckard said.
So if you get constantly asked by people about looking like a certain athlete or celebrity, why not take Heckard’s “brilliant” lead and sue.
Heck, in college I got a few individuals saying I looked like Val Kilmer.
So Val, get ready because I’m ready to “Just Sue It!”
