*Tyler Reddick, the 2026 Daytona 500 champion, is speaking out in defense of team co-owner Michael Jordan following a viral video that sparked online backlash over Jordan’s interaction with Reddick’s young son during post-race celebrations.
Reddick, who drives for Jordan and Denny Hamlin’s 23XI Racing team, made history on February 15, 2026, by powering past Chase Elliott on the final lap to secure the team’s first-ever Daytona 500 victory. The emotional win marked a pinnacle moment for the organization and for Jordan, who described the feeling as “like I won a championship” in post-race interviews.
But the celebratory atmosphere was partially overshadowed when a short clip began circulating on social media platforms showing Jordan during the chaotic victory lane festivities.
The Viral Moment
The footage shows Jordan in the midst of the traditional ice-dumping celebration, appearing to pat or brush at Reddick’s 6-year-old son Beau’s shirt and lower back area. Some online observers described it as grabbing or poking, potentially to get the boy’s attention or remove ice from his clothing. The moment quickly sparked criticism, with some users questioning the appropriateness of the interaction with a minor and leading to heated debates across X and Instagram.
Multi-angle views of the celebration show Beau appearing to jump as if cold from the ice dumped on everyone, suggesting Jordan may have been simply brushing ice off the boy’s shirt.
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NASCAR star Tyler Reddick speaks out after Michael Jordan’s viral “interaction” with his 6-year-old son following the Daytona 500 win ?
pic.twitter.com/38tl9lD1Wk— Daily Loud (@DailyLoud) February 19, 2026
Reddick Breaks His Silence
During a February 16 appearance on SiriusXM’s The Stephen A. Smith Show, Reddick addressed the controversy directly, offering a protective and personal defense of the NBA legend.
“From my perspective, I’ve gotten to know Michael and his family very well over the years I’ve been here with 23XI, and I don’t see what other people see when it comes to this,” Reddick said.
The driver emphasized the overwhelming joy of the moment rather than the online scrutiny.
“For me, it’s a huge moment; this is the biggest moment of my career. It’s a huge moment for my family and for his family, and I just put that off to the side and think about the look on [Michael Jordan’s wife] Yvette’s face and the whole family and his whole group when they got to victory lane too, and just how happy everybody was celebrating together.”
Reddick’s response frames the interaction within the context of a shared, euphoric family celebration rather than anything inappropriate.
Divided Online Reactions
The internet remains sharply divided on the incident.
Supporters—including many NASCAR fans who reviewed multi-angle footage—argue the interpretation is overblown. They point to Beau’s reaction to the cold ice and maintain Jordan was simply trying to brush it off. Many accuse critics of “reaching for drama” and reading malice into an innocent moment.
Critics, however, continue to express discomfort with the interaction, with some calling it inappropriate regardless of intent. The debate has spawned numerous threads across social platforms, with both sides firmly entrenched in their positions.
Reddick’s representative has declined further comment, quickly deflecting follow-up questions from outlets like TMZ to instead focus on the historic victory.
A Landmark Win for 23XI Racing
The controversy threatens to overshadow what should be an unambiguously celebratory moment for Reddick and the 23XI organization. The win represents a massive milestone for the team Jordan and Hamlin founded in 2020, validating their investment in NASCAR’s top series.
For Reddick, the victory cements his status among the sport’s elite drivers. For Jordan, it adds another championship moment to a legendary career—this time as a team owner rather than player.
As Reddick made clear, he’s choosing to remember the day by the joy on his family’s faces and the historic achievement, not the online noise.
“I don’t see what other people see,” he reiterated. And for now, that’s where the 23XI family stands united.
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