'Crying Jordan' comes to life at Medal of Freedom award ceremony

Michael Jordan's eyes were glistening as Barack Obama listed his accomplishments and influences Tuesday at the White House.

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"He’s more than just a logo. He's more than just an internet meme," Obama said about the legendary basketball player, known more often these days not as the best basketball player to ever play the game, but for his ubiquitous "Crying Jordan" meme that gets plastered on everything around the internet.

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Jordan was one of 21 honored in Obama's final ceremony to award the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor.

Jordan wasn't the only one getting choked up.

Anyone else watching the Medal of Freedom ceremony bawling their eyes out? #MedalofFreedom

— Pam Carlson (@PamCarlson3) November 22, 2016

Other notables were honored with fun backstories and witty quips from the outgoing president.

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Obama made it clear "we should never travel with Tom Hanks" since the actor always gets marooned at airports, kidnapped by pirates and has to emergency land airplanes. He said "America's dad" is a "good man" who "made it seem natural to have a volleyball as your best friend."

From the sports world, Obama shared his pride of longtime Dodgers sports announcer Vin Scully and the basketball skills of NBA Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

"When a sport changes its rules just to make it harder for you, you are really good," the president told a towering Abdul-Jabbar.

This is just an incredible image. #MedalofFreedom https://t.co/CFhzoqNvFM

— Kevin Lainez (@KevinL007) November 22, 2016

Even after an emotional dedication in which Obama praised comedian Ellen DeGeneres for coming out publicly almost 20 years ago, DeGeneres was back to the jokes. Before the ceremony she had left her ID and had some trouble getting into the White House.

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When introducing rock and roll legend Bruce Springsteen, Obama said, "I'm the president, he is the boss."

President Barack Obama presents singer Bruce Springsteen with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.Credit: Olivier Douliery/ABACA

Obama had plenty to say about the other philanthropists, musicians, actors, architects, computer scientists and more. "Like I said this is a really good class" of recipients, Obama said as he wrapped up the ceremony.

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