Who Is the Guy in the Crying Meme? the Surprising True Story Behind the Viral Reaction
By Maya Lin-Takahashi
Q1: Is the man in the crying meme Michael Jordan or someone else?
A1: There are two distinct memes. The widely shared still image of tears running down a face pasted onto losing athletes is NBA legend Michael Jordan from his 2009 Hall of Fame induction. The video clip of a man wailing aloud with his eyes closed is former boxing champion Rocky Lockridge from the television show Intervention.
Q2: Did Rocky Lockridge ever make money from the "Best Cry Ever" viral video?
A2: No. Lockridge did not receive licensing fees, royalties, or ad revenue from the millions of views his breakdown produced across third-party YouTube channels, meme aggregators, and social networks.
Q3: What happened to Rocky Lockridge after the Intervention episode aired?
A3: Lockridge completed the treatment program provided by the production, achieved periods of sobriety, and reconnected with his family. However, ongoing health complications stemming from previous strokes affected his mobility and speech until his death in February 2019.
Maya is a hardware enthusiast who tests and reviews smart home devices, smartphones, wearables, and audio gear. She focuses on practical consumer value and build quality.
