Tyler Reddick Defends michael jordan After Victory Lane Touch Sparks Online Backlash
Daytona 500 winner Tyler Reddick pushed back on criticism this week after a short victory-lane clip showing michael jordan interacting with Reddick’s 6-year-old son went viral. Reddick said the moment was innocent and that he’s focused on celebrating the biggest win of his career with friends and family.
Reddick on the radio: "I don't see what other people see"
On Tuesday (ET), Reddick spoke with commentator Stephen A. Smith and defended michael jordan’s behavior in the chaotic moments after the race. Reddick said he has gotten to know michael jordan and his family well through their relationship with the team and that, for him, the interaction was entirely benign.
“For me, it’s a huge moment. This is the biggest moment of my career. It’s a huge moment for my family and for his family, ” Reddick said, explaining that the jubilation in victory lane made him focus on the shared celebration rather than the clip’s critics. He added that seeing michael jordan’s wife and family happy was what mattered most in that instant.
What the video shows and why people reacted
The short clip that circulated online captured michael jordan bending toward Reddick’s son Beau and making contact with the boy’s shirt and leg as confetti and liquid rained down in the celebration. Some viewers described the gesture as inappropriate, with immediate backlash amplifying on social channels.
Defenders of michael jordan pointed to longer footage that surfaced later, which offers additional context: the child appears nonchalant during and after the touch, and some footage suggests water or a spilled drink was involved in the commotion. That led to a widely shared theory that michael jordan was attempting to dislodge something — such as ice or debris — from the boy's clothing rather than engaging in anything untoward.
Commentators also noted how chaotic victory lane can be, with adults, media and celebratory liquids all converging in a small space. Observers who watched the longer clip highlighted Beau’s lack of alarm as a key detail; he does not immediately react as someone who felt threatened might, and the scene shows family members close by and celebratory in demeanor.
Team ties and the broader aftermath
Reddick drives the No. 45 car for the team co-owned by michael jordan and fellow owner Denny Hamlin, and he emphasized the personal relationship he has with the ownership group. He said he’s proud to deliver big moments for them — calling Sunday’s Daytona 500 win the pinnacle of his career so far — and that his bond with the family influences how he interpreted the interaction.
Reddick has nine Cup Series wins to his name and said bringing home the Harley J. Earl Trophy felt like a childhood dream come true. michael jordan has not publicly responded to the criticism as of this writing. Reddick made clear he stands with the team, on the racetrack and off, and asked observers to consider the full context of the celebratory chaos before rushing to judgment.
The episode underscores how a few seconds of footage can spark intense social reaction, especially when it involves a high-profile figure. For Reddick and those closest to the moment, the focus remains on the race victory and the celebration that followed.
