Man didn't ask to be like Mike, so he's suing ($832 million)

The Oregonian ^ | 07/08/06 | Holly Danks

[Andy from Beaverton]

Man didn't ask to be like Mike, so he's suing

Court - Allen Ray Heckard says his resemblance to Michael Jordan is distressing, and he wants the star and Phil Knight to pay

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Saturday, July 08, 2006

HOLLY DANKS

HILLSBORO -- Michael Jordan made a bushel of money shooting baskets and pitching Nike products.

Allen Ray Heckard, a 51-year-old Northeast Portland man, says he has been told he looks like Jordan. Now he wants some of that fortune for the pain and suffering of having a famous face.

Heckard, an airport shuttle driver and auto detailer with a prison record for drug possession, filed a lawsuit in Washington County Circuit Court last week asking for $416 million from the former basketball star and another $416 million from Nike founder Phil Knight.

Although 3 inches shorter, about 25 pounds lighter and 8 years older than Jordan, Heckard says he is constantly mistaken for His Airness. Like Jordan, he is African American, has a shaved head and wears a pierced earring in his left ear.

In the suit, Heckard says he is denied "the right to live a normal life" because he cannot attend a religious service or public functions, go to movies, ride public transportation, go shopping or play sports in public parks "without continually being harassed by the public of looking like michael jordan (sic)."

Acting as his own attorney, Heckard plunked down the $206 fee on June 29 to file the lawsuit. He is demanding $52 million from each defendant for "defamation and permanent injury" and $364 million from each in punitive damages for "emotional pain and suffering."

Heckard refused an interview with The Oregonian, saying he was on a local television newscast and that was going to be it for public comment.

Wearing Nike Air Jordan shoes, Heckard told KGW(8), "Don't get me wrong, it's definitely a positive thing, because Michael, like I say, is one of the best ballplayers that I've known to play the game. But then again, that's Michael and I'm me."

If Nike officials are laughing, it's in private.

"We don't believe the suit to have merit and will move to dismiss it," said Theresa Tran, director of communications for the Jordan brand at Nike.

"Basically, everybody has a right to have their day in court," said Stephen V. Piucci, past president of the Oregon Trial Lawyers Association and a specialist in personal injury litigation for a Portland law firm.

And Heckard's day, he said, "is going to be short."

Holly Danks: 503-221-4377; hollydanks@news.oregonian.com

[humblegunner]

It used to be that you only found Looney Tunes at the Disney studios

Warner Brothers, actually.

[Fresh Wind]

Can anyone recommend a good plastic surgeon?

[OmahaFields]

Can we just shoot this guys lawyer instead?

Buddha says "Always read article before posting."

[jazusamo]

LOL...Yep, I realized that after I hit the post button.

[apackof2]

The defendent who pleads their own case has a fool for a client

[knarf]

Yeah?
Well ... my daughter says I look like a fox and I haven't even been discovered yet, so ... I'm offering myself to any manager(ette) that can see the value in a guy that looks like himself.
Really .. I ain't liein' .. I do look like myself ... ask anyone.

So, to the forward thinkers and investers out there ... I'm offering myself for a mere million ...

[r9etb]

I'm often mistaken, usually by women, for somebody else ... though the ladies who say so can never seem to remember who. It happens quite a lot.

I wish I knew it was, so that I could sue the guy....

[M Kehoe]

The Oregonian!? I thought it was The Onion.

Wanta bet Nike gives him $5000 to go away.

5.56mm

[digger48]

guess I missed that. I also guess I still stand by my query.

[KarlInOhio]

The judge should throw out the case. Then he should order his bailiff to beat Heckard until he no longer looks like Mike. There, problem solved.

[Duke Wayne]

I hope no one out there looks like Helen Thomas. Now that person would really have my sympathy.

[taxcontrol]

LOL - turn about is fair play. MJ should sue for him attempting to look like him..... besmirching his good looks or some such.

[Flyer]

I like Mike

Then sue him, dang it!

It takes a lot of time and money liking Mike.

[champisme]

Look out Favio, I sure hope you have some $$$

[jazusamo]

LOL...They would also have a really good court case.

[Vision Thing]

He may as well sue Homer Simpson, too:

[humblegunner]

I realized that after I hit the post button.

It was fresh in my mind after cartoons this morning! ;-)

[Andonius_99]

That's alright, I'm 27 and look like Bea Arthur...

[oldbrowser]

Wanta bet Nike gives him $5000 to go away.

Really ? Lets all get an earring and make it a class action suit.

[no-to-illegals]

reverse phonology?