Posted on 07/08/2006 11:57:30 AM PDT by Andy from Beaverton
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
Since the trial will be in Portland, Oregon, it should be a close call -- and any verdict could happen with all those "liberal" judges there.
Why 832 million dollars? The science behind arriving at this figure would be fascinating.
It would be interesting to see a freeper celebrity look alike vanity thread. I bet you with this many posters on a forum, we have a lot of people who are dead ringers for a celebrity or famous politician or something. I've always found that really interesting.
You asking me? Or you wondering about him. I took the number from the story. For him I'd imagine it made as much sense to ask for a lot as to ask for a little. He might be hoping they'll pay something just to make him go away.
Perhaps if the gets this into the 9th circuit court he has a chance of winning.
Look out Elephant Man, because I am gonna sue your arse!
"Bummer. I don't look like anyone famous."
Its gotta be the fault of someone with money. Keep looking.
Every darned time I go out with friends, I'm asked by numerous people for *Wilford Brimley's* autograph or can they have a pic taken with me. I have considerably more hair, and weigh much less, but the facial features and handlebar 'stache do resemble him back in the 80s, before diabetes ravaged him.
I always say sure, and sign my own name. LOL!
Yeah, and wait til I get through with Danny DeVito.
Ha...Cartoons are more educational than most of the trash on TV now. :-)
If I was the judge, I'd throw the lawyer in jail for contempt of court.
And when he got out, I'd disbar him!
I wish.
Everyone that looks like me died out around the last big ice age. :-(
Mke didn't ask to look like Allen either....So maybe Mike should sue this joker for impersinating him...
I too have the same problem as this fellow, just not as bad.
To be fair, I'm only entitled to perhaps $100 million since I'm a blond Scandinavian.
LOL ..... I looked like Paul McCartney when I was 13, and could probably make myself into his image again (and I'm a woman!).....I smell mooollaaaaa!
Here you go, see who this site tells you that you look like. See how close you get to Clapton.
http://www.myheritage.com/FP/Company/tryFaceRecognition.php
Hooray! Now we get to make a bundle when my wife sues Kathryn Morris!
O rly?
If he is successful, a farm animal should sue him for acting like a horse's ass.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
Related Documents