‘Jordan cry face’ meme suitable for all occasions

Published 9:19 am Tuesday, February 9, 2016

The Internet will always be undefeated. It’s a digital diary of the world’s best and worst moments and the key was lost long ago.

While the negative side of the World Wide Web’s freedom is the spawning of keyboard trolls who hide behind binary eggs, it’s also welcomed great creativity and expression.

The presence of apps like Twitter combined with Photoshop have birthed one of the greatest symbols of losing for the last year or so.

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This great invention, which many people embrace and save in their digital library of gifs and memes, is none other than the “Michael Jordan Cry Face.”

For those unaware of this phenomenon, the Jordan cry face began in 2009 when he was inducted to the Basketball Hall of Fame. Jordan, as most people do, thanked those who helped make him a professional and a six-time NBA champion.

He even threatened to come out of retirement at the age of 50, despite having not played the sport in six years and with lungs full of cigar smoke.

Also, as most inductees do, he got emotional and began to cry on stage.

In a twist of sports irony, the greatest basketball player and one of the most competitive NBA champions has become the face for the losing team.

The first appearance of the Jordan cry face is unknown, but it hit its prime in 2015. The Internet, as undefeated as always, is quick to release this kraken the moment a public sporting or entertainment figure accepts a loss.

Case in point, when the Patriots’ Tom Brady went through court hearings about Deflategate, the first rendition of courtroom sketches were mocked for their loose portrayal of Brady.

So when the Patriots lost to eventual Super Bowl 50 champions the Denver Broncos, the sketchings resurfaced with none other than Jordan’s face cleverly blended into the picture.

The Jordan cry face came full circle when it was blended onto what some say were the arrogant Carolina Panthers after their Super Bowl loss on Sunday. Team photos of the Panthers dabbing or pointing to the sky were used to humble Panthers’ fans as the signature stamp of losing made its way to their beloved team.

On behalf of the Internet, thank you to whoever discovered this gem. It never ceases to be funny.

Alex Swatson is a sports writer for The Vicksburg Post. He can be reached at alex.swatson@vicksburgpost.com