I DON’T WANT TO BE LIKE MIKE
WHY ONE MAN SUED MICHAEL JORDAN FOR $832 MILLION
Many people have been told they have a passing resemblance to a celebrity, and they usually have a funny story or two. To Allen Ray Heckard, his celebrity look-alike was no laughing matter. In 2006, he sued Michael Jordan for looking too much like him and ruining his life. The amount of the lawsuit was $832 million, and Heckard not only sued Jordan but also Nike, reasoning that the company helped Jordan achieve his incredible fame. The complaint argued that the resemblance to Jordan “has troubled Heckard’s nerves” and being stopped by fans caused him emotional distress for over 15 years. He requested damages for defamation, permanent injury, and pain and suffering.
When asked how he arrived at the astronomical $832 million lawsuit figure, he gave this much-shared
One question reporters did not appear to ask was why Heckard felt that Jordan should be held personally liable for hundreds of millions of dollars simply for his natural appearance. Sadly, we will probably never know the answer because the case ended rather unceremoniously. After a few weeks, Heckard
(yet difficult to parse) answer: “Well, you figure with my age, and you multiply that by seven and, ah, then I turn around and, ah, I figure that’s what it all boils down to.” When asked why he felt the resemblance to Jordan had affected his life so negatively, he could only answer, “I want to be recognized as me, just like Michael’s recognized as Michael.” Funnily enough, most people didn’t think Heckard and Jordan looked alike at all. While each had a bald head, mustache, and a gold earring, the similarities seemed to end there. Many news stories noted that, compared to Jordan, Heckard is 8 years older and 6 inches shorter.
dropped the lawsuit. He never publicly shared why, but a Nike spokesperson was glad to speculate that Heckard “finally realized he would end up paying our court costs if the lawsuit went to trial.” In the end, many ‘90s kids would argue that Heckard was most guilty of looking a gift horse in the mouth. After all, there is no higher achievement than to “be like Mike.”
For someone tired of being “recognized,” Heckard didn’t shy away from media coverage.
4 WAYS TO CELEBRATE FLORIDA Happy Birthday to the Sunshine State!
Happy birthday, Florida! On March 3, 1845, Florida became the 27th state in the U.S., making its official age of statehood at 177 years old. Florida has a rich history centuries prior to its “birthday,” and it continues to enrich the lives of those who call it home.
In honor of this momentous occasion, we encourage you to celebrate Florida in a way that would make the Sunshine State proud. Check out these local ideas!
Visit a Museum Peruse the stories that comprise Florida’s history at a local museum. Start with the St. Petersburg Museum of History, which has cataloged the history of our city from its founding to some of its quirkier moments. The Dali Museum is another must-see. With unusual works and breathtaking illusions, you will find something new around every corner at this spot, which celebrates the art of Salvador Dali. You can find other great historical spots at PinellasCounty.org! Read Like a Floridian Florida is and was home to some of the most prolific authors, including Ernest Hemingway, Shel Silverstein, and Carl Hiaasen. So, why not celebrate Florida’s birthday by reading some of the works of our greatest authors? You can find a comprehensive list, complete with options to visit the homes of some of our great writers, online at VisitFlorida.com. Get Outside They don’t call us the Sunshine State for nothing! Spend your early March day outside enjoying the beautiful landscape we call home. You could bike to Dunedin along the Pinellas Trail, paddle along Weedon Island, explore the vast wonder of Caladesi Island State Park, go fishing at Fort De Soto Park, or visit one of our many beaches! Plan your outdoor adventure at VisitStPeteClearwater.com. Dine Florida-Style From Disney World favorites to fresh citrus and seafood, there’s no shortage of tasty treats here in Florida. Celebrate our state by making some of your favorites at home, or dine at one of our premier restaurants in Pinellas County. Among the top favorites, according to our team and Google Reviews, are Cajun Cafe on the Bayou, Da Sesto Italiano Ristorante e Vino, Bascom’s Chop House. Visit local tourism websites for more restaurant options.
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