Syracuse, N.Y. — NBA legend Michael Jordan was in attendance for Dwight Freeney’s enshrinement into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday in Canton, Ohio.

Jordan, who Freeney refers to as a big brother, was seated with the former Syracuse defensive end’s friends and family during Saturday’s ceremony.

Jordan and Freeney forged a friendship through golf that stretches back 20 years.

Freeney is a frequent guest of Jordan’s at his exclusive golf course in Hobe Sound, Florida, about 20 minutes from Freeney’s home in Palm Beach Gardens, according to Golf Digest.

And, Jordan was there when former Colts coach Tony Dungy surprised Freeney with the news he would be part of the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s 2024 class.

Freeney became the eighth former Syracuse football player enshrined in Canton. Former Raiders owner Al Davis, a Syracuse University graduate, is also enshrined.

Saturday’s ceremony was delayed 90 minutes because of rain.

Freeney spoke first among this year’s inductees, thanking former Syracuse head coach Paul Pasqualoni and strength coach Will Hicks in his speech.

Both men were in attendance.

“You trained me like Rocky Balboa, and you pushed me to my absolute limits,” Freeney said of Hicks. “My friend, you mean the world to me.”

Freeney was introduced on stage by Colts owner Jim Irsay, who was seated in a wheelchair while he continues recovery from injuries sustained in a fall in his home.

In addition to Irsay and Dungy, former Colts assistant Bruce Arians and Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning were among those who came out to celebrate Freeney’s induction. Former Syracuse wide receiver Marvin Harrison, another Hall of Fame teammate of Freeney’s with the Colts, was there, too.