June 11, 1997. Salt Lake City was loud. Delta Center was shaking.
Michael Jordan looked like he was about to pass out. Honestly, he looked like he belonged in an ER, not on a basketball court for Game 5 of the NBA Finals. He was hunched over, sweat pouring off him in a way that didn't look like "game sweat." It looked like "I’m dying" sweat. But that night, wearing the black and red Jordan 12 Flu Game 1997 sneakers, he put up 38 points.
He could barely walk to the bench. Scottie Pippen literally had to carry him off the floor. It’s the kind of stuff that sounds like a movie script, but it actually happened.
What Actually Happened in Salt Lake City?
For years, we called it the "Flu Game." Everyone just assumed MJ caught a virus. But the reality is way more suspicious and, frankly, a bit more interesting. Tim Grover, Michael’s long-time personal trainer, has been vocal about what went down in that hotel room.
It wasn't the flu.
It was food poisoning.
According to Grover, they were staying at a hotel in Park City. It was late, MJ was hungry, and nothing was open except one pizza joint. Five guys showed up to deliver a single pizza. Think about that. Five people to deliver one pepperoni pie? Grover said he had a bad feeling immediately. Michael ate it anyway. By 2:00 AM, he was curled in a fetal position, losing fluids and unable to stand.
The Jordan 12 Flu Game 1997 became the symbol of that struggle. While the world watched a man battle his own body, they were also staring at those high-contrast "Bred" sneakers. The way the red tumbled leather cut across the black upper—it looked aggressive. It looked like a fight.
Jordan played 44 minutes. He was dehydrated, shaking, and probably seeing double. Yet, he hit the dagger three-pointer to seal the win.
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The Design of the Jordan 12
Tinker Hatfield is a genius. We know this. But the 12 was a massive departure from the patent leather flashiness of the 11.
He drew inspiration from the Japanese "Rising Sun" flag (Nisshoki). You can see it in the stitching that radiates outward from the center. It’s subtle but gives the shoe a structural rigidity that Jordan needed. He was a power player by '97. He wasn't just flying anymore; he was posting up, pivoting, and grinding in the paint.
The 12 was also the first Jordan to feature Zoom Air. It ran full-length.
If you've ever worn a pair of OG 12s, you know they feel like tanks. They are heavy compared to today's foam-and-mesh runners. But in 1997, that carbon fiber spring plate and the Zoom Air felt like alien technology. They didn't just look tough; they were built to survive 100-plus game seasons.
The Myth of the "Pizza Game"
There’s always a conspiracy theory in sports. Some people think Mike was hungover. Others think it was a calculated PR move to build the "GOAT" narrative.
But look at the footage.
You can’t fake that level of physical collapse. His eyes were sunken. His skin was gray. Even the most cynical Jazz fans in the building knew they were watching something supernatural. The Jordan 12 Flu Game 1997 wasn't just a sneaker release; it was the uniform for a legendary performance that broke the spirit of the Utah Jazz.
The Jazz were good. Stockton and Malone were at their absolute peak. This was their best chance to take down the Bulls. And they got beat by a guy who could barely keep his head up during timeouts.
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Market Value and the 2013 Auction
Let’s talk money. Because in the sneaker world, the Flu Game 12s are the holy grail of "storytelling" shoes.
In 2013, the actual pair Jordan wore during that game—size 13.5, signed—went up for auction. The ball boy, Preston Truman, had kept them for years. He’d actually brought MJ applesauce before the game to help his stomach. After the win, Jordan gave him the shoes.
They sold for $104,765.
At the time, that was a record for game-worn shoes. Of course, by 2026 standards, that seems like a bargain, but it showed the world that the Jordan 12 Flu Game 1997 wasn't just footwear. It was a piece of sports history, like Babe Ruth’s bat or Ali’s gloves.
Why the Retro Versions Feel Different
Jordan Brand has brought the Flu Game back a few times.
- 2003: Pretty close to the original. The leather was decent.
- 2009: This one was controversial. They used nubuck instead of leather. They also added a little "sick face" emoji and the "38/15" stats on the heel. Hardcore collectors hated it. It felt too gimmicky.
- 2016: This was the "Remastered" version. High-quality tumbled leather. No weird emojis. Just the classic black and red.
The problem with retros is the "shape." If you look at the 1997 originals, the toe box is sleek. It slopes down perfectly. Many of the newer versions look a bit "boxy" or "thick" in the front. It’s a small detail, but for someone who grew up watching the Bulls on a CRT television, it matters.
The colorway is officially Black/Varsity Red. It’s simple. It’s menacing. It’s the "Bred" DNA that started with the 1s and reached its peak durability with the 12s.
Cultural Impact Beyond the Court
Sneakers usually stay in the sports world or the hip-hop world. The 12 crossed over.
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It was everywhere in '97. You saw it in music videos, on high school courts, and in malls across the country. But the Flu Game story gave it a "grit" that other Jordans lacked. The 11 was the "tuxedo" shoe. The 12 was the "work" shoe.
It’s about the psychology of the grind. People wear the Jordan 12 Flu Game 1997 when they want to feel invincible. It sounds cheesy, but sneakers are often about how they make you feel, not just how they look. Wearing the shoes MJ wore while he was puking in a bucket and still winning a championship? That’s a powerful vibe.
Comparing the 12 to Other "Bred" Classics
If you line up the Bred 1, the Bred 4, the Bred 11, and the Flu Game 12, the 12 is the most rugged.
The 1 has no cushioning. The 4 is a bit clunky. The 11 is fragile because of the patent leather. But the 12? You can beat the hell out of that shoe. The leather only looks better with age. The hardware—those metal lace loops at the top—gives it a premium feel that was rare for basketball shoes in the late 90s.
How to Spot a Fake 1997 Pair
If you’re hunting for an original 1997 pair today, be careful.
- The Smell: Old sneakers have a specific "vintage" smell. If they smell like fresh chemicals, stay away.
- The Carbon Fiber: On the 1997 OG, the carbon fiber shank on the bottom should feel textured and stiff. Cheap fakes use painted plastic.
- The Box: The 1997 box was the "face" box with MJ's face on the lid.
- The Heel Tab: The "23" and the "Jordan" text should be crisp. On many fakes, the embroidery looks like a tangled mess of thread.
The Final Take on the Legacy
We often talk about "greatness" as if it’s easy. We see the highlights and the trophies.
But the Jordan 12 Flu Game 1997 reminds us that greatness is usually miserable. It’s about doing your job when you literally cannot stand up. It’s about a pizza that tried to take down the best player in the world and failed.
Whether you’re a collector or just a fan of basketball history, the 12 is the ultimate "story" shoe. It’s not the most beautiful Jordan ever made, but it’s arguably the toughest.
Actionable Next Steps for Collectors
- Check the Midsole: If you are buying a 1997 original, do NOT try to wear it. The glue has likely crystalized, and the sole will separate or the foam will crumble. These are display pieces only.
- Verify the Leather: If you’re looking for a wearable pair, hunt for the 2016 Remastered version. The leather quality is significantly better than the 2009 nubuck version and it holds up well to daily wear.
- Storage Matters: Keep your 12s in a climate-controlled environment. Humidity is the enemy of the Jordan 12's glue and carbon fiber plate. Use silica packets if you live in a damp climate.
- Know the Price: Expect to pay $350–$500 for a deadstock 2016 pair. Original 1997 pairs in good condition can fetch much more, but their value is purely in their historical "shelf" appeal.