Michael Jordan forced to miss Chris Chelios’ Blackhawks jersey retirement ‘due to a death in the family’ as the basketball great sends a video message to his long-time friend

Michael Jordan was forced to miss Chicago Blackhawks legend Chris Chelios’ jersey retirement ceremony on Sunday due to a death in the family.

A month after curiously skipping the Bulls’ Ring of Honor ceremony at United Center due to friction with former teammate Scottie Pippen, Jordan was set to return to the venue to show his support for his old friend Chelios.

The pair have had a close relationship dating back to their respective playing days in Chicago, meaning the basketball great planned to see his famous No. 7 Blackhawks jersey retired this weekend.

Yet according to NBC journalist Charlie RoumeliotisJordan was forced to skip Chelios’ ceremony after announcing that he is currently dealing with a death in the family.

The Bulls icon instead delivered a video message to his close friend that evening, revealing the reason he missed the event while on a golf course.

Chelios saw his famous No. 7 jersey retired for the Blackhawks during a special ceremony

It is currently unclear which member of Jordan’s family has died.

Chelios revealed that the former Bulls star would attend his jersey retirement ceremony last week during an interview with WSCR-AM 670’s “Mully and Haugh Show.”

“I’m going to let them try to take everyone who had an impact on me and (Jordan) was obviously a big part of my 90s,” he said.

“They will be here to support me. I’ve gotten a pretty good Rolodex over the course of my career, so I’m loading up. This is a last hurray and I’m going to make it a good one.’

Dressed in all black and surrounded by family, friends and former teammates, Chelios blew kisses to the cheering crowd after he was introduced.

The fans greeted the Chicago native with chants of “Cheli!” Cheli!’ while the current Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings watched from the benches.

Unlike Jordan, ex-Bulls star Dennis Rodman (center) was on hand at the United Center for the ceremony

“As a kid growing up in Chicago, I had no expectations whatsoever that I would become a professional hockey player,” he said. ‘That just wasn’t the intention at the time. …I played it because I loved it. That’s all.’

Chelios, 62, played for his hometown team from 1990 until he was traded to Detroit in March 1999. He had 92 goals and 395 assists in 664 regular season games with the Blackhawks. He remains the team’s career leader with 1,495 penalty minutes.

Unlike Jordan, former Bulls small forward Dennis Rodman attended Sunday’s ceremony at the United Center for Chelios.