The ALS Association has raised over $31.5 million through the viral video campaign known as the "ALS Ice Bucket Challenge". The campaign aims to increase awareness of Lou Gehrig's disease or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis as well as raise funds for the organization. Several celebrities chipped in to join the fun and cause, with NBA legend Michael Jordan being the latest in the bunch.
In a report by Yahoo! Sports, a number of NBA stars have already shared videos of themselves, inviting others to follow suit such as LeBron James, Adam Silver and Ray Allen. Michael Jordan was challenged by soccer star David Beckham, baseball great Derek Jeter and Ray Allen to throw a bucket of icy water over his head, too.
The video lasted less than a minute and showed Jordan seated on a chair wearing a light blue t-shirt. In an article by Mass Live, he said that he is responding to the challenge of David Beckham, Derek Jeter and Ray Allen and in return, he is challenging his former Chicago Bulls coach, Phil Jackson, as well as members of the 1992 Dream Team to contribute to the ALS Association and get wet.
After speaking, an unknown person approached Jordan from the side and started pouring the ice bucket. The video ended just before the bucket was completely emptied over Jordan's head, so fans did not get to see whether the basketball superstar shivered or screamed after feeling the intense cold on his skin.
It appeared like Jordan was trying to keep his composure throughout the ordeal by shutting his eyes and letting the water flow down his face. It seemed like he did the bucket challenge after playing a round of golf, as golf clubs and a golf cart were seen behind him in the video.
So far, Larry Bird and Chris Mullin responded to Jordan's challenge. Many fans lauded Jordan for inviting the rest of the team at the Summer Olympics in Barcelona, which expectedly will turn up a few more stars and bring in more cash for the charity. The 1992 Dream Team was considered as the best ever, comprised of stars like Patrick Ewing, John Stockton, Charles Barkley and Karl Malone.
According to Bleacher Report, the ALS campaign has been a big success, bringing in 260,000 new donors and raising almost nine times more cash compared to the same time in 2013. Between July 29 and August 20, 2014, the association shared on Twitter that it raised over $31 million.
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