Why Deloris Jordan didn't want MJ to come to his older brother's retirement from military service: "I wanted Ronnie to have his day"

Michael Jordan was easily the most successful member of the James Jordan Sr. household. However, he wasn't the only child of James Sr. and Deloris.

The Chicago Bulls legend was the fourth of five children. He has two older brothers, James Jr. and Larry, two sisters, the elder sister Deloris, and the youngest child, Roslyn. Because Deloris loved all her children equally, she wanted all of them to shine in their chosen vocations, whatever they were.

When James Jr., better known as Ronnie, retired from the military service in 2006, Momma Jordan didn't want his high-profile brother to steal the thunder. Deloris asked MJ not to be there on Day 1 of the three-day retirement ceremony.

"I wanted Ronnie to have his day," she said . " Then Michael called and said his car broke down and I secretly thought, 'Good, Ronnie will have the acknowledgement and attention he deserves.'"

Ronnie served 31 years in the military

James Jordan Jr. was the eldest of the Jordan siblings, six years older than Mike. Three days after his high school graduation, Ronnie enlisted in the U.S. Army and was the first child to leave their house.

He ended up serving 31 years in the military, including three tours of duty in Iraq. Ronnie made headlines in 2004 when he chose to stay in Iraq even though his mandatory retirement date had passed. When he finally retired, he achieved the rank of command sergeant major of the Army's XVIII Airborne Corps.

Ronnie's retirement ceremony was a three-day affair at Fort Bragg, N.C. It included tributes from two presidents, several colonels, and more than 3,000 troops who worked with Sgt. Major Jordan.

Deloris' proudest moment

For sure, if Michael had been there, he would have stolen the limelight from his older brother. After all, Mike is the most recognizable athlete on planet Earth. But because MJ followed his mother's advice, James Jr. enjoyed his moment, and so did Deloris.

"I was so emotional," added Mrs. Jordan. "I could not take it. Hearing from all the young recruits and how he kept them focused. That's what it's about -- how you affect other people's lives."

Unlike little bro Mike, who grew to become 6-6 tall and played professional basketball in the NBA, Ronnie was just 5-7 tall, So he took a job that didn't require him to be six feet tall. Like MJ did in basketball, Ronnie excelled in his chosen field. And while Michael became a basketball icon, James Jr. became a renowned soldier and an American hero.

Related: "I look at my games with him as a great experience" - How Michael Jordan's older brother shaped his game