Kareem Abdul-Jabbar fans were startled to see the 78-year-old’s famous 7-foot-2 frame riding a wheelchair to Tuesday’s Jackie Robinson Day festivities.
The NBA’s second all-time leading scorer is 15 months removed from a successful hip surgery, and while he is capable of standing and walking, he did require use of a wheelchair to honor his fellow UCLA legend at Chavez Ravine.
‘Tough to see the big fella in rough shape but glad he’s still with us,’ one fan remarked on X.
There were a few fans who referenced Abdul-Jabbar’s famed role in the comedy classic, Airplane (‘The airline pilot?’), but many more reacted to the Hall of Famer’s need for a wheelchair.
‘Sad seeing Kareem getting old,’ one wrote.
Of course, Abdul-Jabbar wasn’t feeling sorry for himself on Tuesday.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar arrives to Dodger Stadium prior to Tuesday’s game against the Rockies
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar speaks during 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) played basketball at UCLA, although he was better known for his exploits on the football field and, later, breaking baseball’s color barrier
Rather, the New York City native and Brooklyn Dodgers fan relished the chance to celebrate the 78th anniversary of Robinson breaking baseball’s color barrier.
Addressing members of the current Los Angeles Dodgers and Colorado Rockies, Abdul-Jabbar recalled growing up in Manhattan while faithfully wearing a Brooklyn cap.
‘I’d get in fights with people from the Giants, the Yankees, pretty often,’ he said, ‘but I kept my cap on and nobody was able to knock it off. I was so tall.’
Abdul-Jabbar followed Robinson to UCLA, where the baseball icon had also played football and basketball, and the Lakers and Bucks legend has since become an expert on his idol’s life.
‘He meant excellence, giving your all, giving your best,’ Abdul-Jabbar said, ‘and for all the detractors that are out there, just ignore them and keep on.’
Per MLB tradition, all players who were in action on Jackie Robinson Day wore the Hall of Fame infielder’s No. 42 during their respective games.
