Hero of the Day: POTUS Gives the Internet the Gift of Crying Michael Jordan

At the top of the trash heap that was 2016, sits Michael Jordan, crying proudly. As has been covered to death, this has been a pretty awful year, but for some reason the image of a tearful #23 has been a beacon of light for all of us.

via GIPHY

Last night, President Barack Obama honored 21 individuals with the nation's highest civilian honor, the Medal of Freedom. Robert De Niro, Ellen Degeneres, and Bill and Melinda Gates accepted the honor, as did Michael Jordan, who, true to form, cried a little bit. Yes, as one of his last acts as president, Obama brought the crying Michael Jordan meme to life.

A second crying Michael Jordan meme was born that day, and Twitter gave thanks early. Check out some of the best reactions:

Posted by schimkom

1
Here is His Airness

Via @ABCPolitics
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2
Obama even called MJ for being more than a meme.

Via @GugsM
3
Behold! Crying Michael! It's alive!

There was a problem rendering this tweet - it may have been deleted.

Via @BrettLoGiurato
4
It's what we're all thinking.

Via @SBNation
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5
How are we supposed to move forward from this?

Via @ComplexSports
6
Seconded.

Via @vivianwmlee
7
Thanks, Obama.

There was a problem rendering this tweet - it may have been deleted.

Via @zephaniiiah