Kareem Abdul-Jabbar followers have been startled to see the 78-year-old’s well-known 7-foot-2 body using a wheelchair to Tuesday’s Jackie Robinson Day festivities.
The NBA‘s second all-time main scorer is 15 months faraway from a profitable hip surgical procedure, and whereas he’s able to standing and strolling, he did require use of a wheelchair to honor his fellow UCLA legend at Chavez Ravine.
‘Powerful to see the massive fella in tough form however glad he is nonetheless with us,’ one fan remarked on X.
There have been just a few followers who referenced Abdul-Jabbar’s famed function within the comedy traditional, Airplane (‘The airline pilot?’), however many extra reacted to the Corridor of Famer’s want for a wheelchair.
‘Unhappy seeing Kareem getting outdated,’ one wrote.
In fact, Abdul-Jabbar wasn’t feeling sorry for himself on Tuesday.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar arrives to Dodger Stadium previous to Tuesday’s recreation towards the Rockies
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar speaks throughout a ceremony honoring Jackie Robinson as members of the Los Angeles Dodgers look on at Chavez Ravine on Tuesday afternoon
Like Abdul-Jabbar, Robinson (pictured in 1949) performed basketball at UCLA, though he was higher identified for his exploits on the soccer subject and, later, breaking baseball’s coloration barrier
Somewhat, the New York Metropolis native and Brooklyn Dodgers fan relished the possibility to have fun the 78th anniversary of Robinson breaking baseball’s coloration barrier.
Addressing members of the present Los Angeles Dodgers and Colorado Rockies, Abdul-Jabbar recalled rising up in Manhattan whereas faithfully sporting a Brooklyn cap.
‘I would get in fights with individuals from the Giants, the Yankees, fairly typically,’ he stated, ‘however I saved my cap on and no one was in a position to knock it off. I used to be so tall.’
Abdul-Jabbar adopted Robinson to UCLA, the place the baseball icon had additionally performed soccer and basketball, and the Lakers and Bucks legend has since grow to be an professional on his idol’s life.
‘He meant excellence, giving your all, giving your greatest,’ Abdul-Jabbar stated, ‘and for all of the detractors which can be on the market, simply ignore them and carry on.’
Per MLB custom, all gamers who have been in motion on Jackie Robinson Day wore the Corridor of Fame infielder’s No. 42 throughout their respective video games.
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