Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Kareem Abdul-JabbarTicketstar.comYou might know Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as one of the best NBA players scoring 38,387 points, as well as a 6 time NBA MVP ("Kareem Abdul-Jabbar." Contemporary ).One of the greatest NBA players, he put his basketball career behind him, and focused  his commitment of standing up for people's rights. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was born Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor, on  April 16, 1947, in New York City. He wasn't your average newborn, weighing 13 pounds. As he grew up he gained much height, and in 4th grade he was at a staggering 6 feet tall. Kareem attended St. Jude's, a Catholic school in his neighborhood in Manhattan. By 8th grade he could dunk on a 10 foot rim. Although he was black, at the time he was treated better than many others, because of his wild skills in basketball. Abdul-Jabbar was a victim of racism ("Kareem Abdul-Jabbar." Contemporary ). Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is my hero because he possesses the trait of commitment and motivation.  He stood up for his rights although his career could have ended, and continues to help stand up for what is right. Although Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was one of the greatest NBA players, behind his big NBA figure he possesses a motivational figure and him being such a great author, as well as journalist.

Abdul-Jabbar being rewarded by president Obama for his Good works in the community Salt Lake TribuneThrough Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's life, he has set a great figure who has the ability to motivate others in a very positive way ("Kareem Abdul-Jabbar." Contemporary ). Despite the fact he was a major NBA player he is much more than that. “Despite the fact that I’ve been writing about politics longer than I played basketball, many of my critics begin their comments with, “Stick to basketball, Kareem.” But aside from having played basketball a couple decades ago, I am also a father, a businessman, an education advocate, a journalist, a charity organizer, a huge sports fan and an American”(Kareem Abdul-Jabbar New York Times). Kareem explains how he is much more than a former NBA player, but a author, father and much more. After his NBA career, he became a known figure for motivation, because he didn't stop his effort after retiring from the NBA. He went from the best basketball player known to man, to the author of multiple biographies, and journals. It doesn't stop there: Kareem established many charities such as the skyhook foundation in which he teaches kids (The Skyhook Foundation Kareem Abdul-Jabbar). Kareem wasn't your average NBA player, standing 7’2 he broke the records of any player known to man. His NBA career started in 1969 and played for the Milwaukee Bucks. In the draft he was the number 1 pick for all the NBA. That year he earned the title of rookie of the year (Biography.com editors).“That year, Abdul-Jabbar refused to play in the 1968 Olympics because he did not want to represent a country that did not treat him as an equal.”(Kareem Abdul-Jabbar New York Times). Kareem was a well known figure and was invited to go to join the men's Olympic team in 1968. He refused to go because of how his fellow blacks were treated, and the rigged system of race in the Olympics back then ("Kareem Abdul-Jabbar." Contemporary). Kareem was brave enough to decline the offer given to him, and his action drew a much bigger picture to those who invited him. Although he was thrown with profane language and usually referred to with a racial slur, he protested for the treatment of the blacks, even if his life was in danger ("Kareem Abdul-Jabbar." Contemporary). Kareem Abdul-Jabbar still to this day motivates others and will continue to till the day the earth falls out of its place.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is a very motivating person but also very committed to doing the right thing, putting his effort to help people. After all Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has commuted his life to help people and was never self centered. ¨I look forward to the day when an act of terrorism by self-proclaimed Muslims will be universally dismissed as nothing more than a criminal attack of a thuggish political organization wearing an ill-fitting Muslim mask”(Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Time). Kareem is dedicated to help stop the racial prejudice and people who have suffered from it. He explains how today many people act upon a religion that is not there’s, terrorizing them because of the fact that they proclaim they are doing the right thing. Kareem also talks about how our leaders today make horrible decisions without thinking of the consequences and how it will affect their people. Kareem is very dedicated to helping the people of his nation and religion. Throughout the article he explains how terrorist attacks have nothing to do with religion. He also says, “The conventional wisdom seems to be that athletes should never step outside their roles as entertainers to pontificate. That attitude is a stereotype of the dumb jock who is too busy jamming smart, adorable kids into lockers to know anything about the world around them except what Coach tells them”(Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Time magazine) Kareem explains how, though you might be famous and live under the paparazzi, you don't have to be perfect. He also encourages young children to take action and do something that will benefit you and everything around you. Kareem wants people to stop being self centered and do something good for your community. Kareem’s life revolves around helping people and is committed to help people stop being self centered.

Abdul-Jabbar Posing on CourtFurther more equinoxAlthough Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was one of the greatest NBA players, behind his big NBA figure he possesses a motivational figure and him being such a great author, as well as journalist. It’s not everyday a big NBA player changes his whole life for the benefit of others. He became an author, businessmen, and journalist. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar inspires me and others because of the courageous work he has done, and how committed he is for making the world a better place. He possesses a motivating figure who inspires people to do the right things and live up to your dreams. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar truly is my hero because of the actions he has done behind the NBA. He started out protesting the Olympics to one of the most known NBA player known to man. He has had a countless effort to help people and inspire them to do the right things. Today he mostly is known for his NBA career but behind that lays a very motivating and committed figure who lives up for the people and not himself.

Jabbar, Kareem Abdul. “Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: The Importance of Athlete Activists.” Time

Kang, Jay Caspian. “What the World Got Wrong About Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 17 Sept. 2015, 

“Abdul-Jabbar on What America Needs.” Harvard Gazette, 31 Oct. 2016

“Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.” Academy of Achievement