Former President Barack Obama praised the career of Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan as part of an essay collection honoring the team’s inaugural Ring of Honor inductees.

       “There are only a handful of athletes in history — Ruth, Robinson, Ali — that can claim a comparable impact,” Obama wrote. “Michael Jordan shares that rare air. Not bad for a kid from Wilmington, North Carolina, who had once been cut by his high school varsity team.”

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       Jordan is one of 13 members of the inaugural Ring of Honor class, which will be celebrated in a gala Thursday night at the United Center and at halftime of Friday’s game against the Golden State Warriors.