Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the retired NBA legend known for his towering presence on the basketball court, recently shared a lighthearted account of his recent accident. The 76-year-old underwent hip replacement surgery after taking a tumble at a concert, but he didn’t let the mishap dampen his sense of humor.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Lightens the Mood with a Joke About Recent Accident
In a post on his Substack account, Abdul-Jabbar playfully opened with the phrase, “Humpty Kareem had a great fall.” He went on to admit that he didn’t fall heroically while trying to save a child, but simply tripped. Reflecting on the incident, he acknowledged that age is the great equalizer that humbles us all, even former world-class athletes like himself.
“I’d like to say I fell while trying to save a child from plunging over a balcony, but I just tripped. Hard for me to accept that a once world-class athlete just stumbled. But age is the great equalizer & humbles us all”
—Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has a new hip https://t.co/oXvPmM5EsA pic.twitter.com/H0pPLS20ck
— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) December 18, 2023
During the ill-fated concert, where Abdul-Jabbar was scheduled to speak, he unfortunately ended up with a broken hip and was promptly taken to UCLA Hospital for treatment. Deborah Morales, his business partner and spokesperson, confirmed the injury and reassured concerned fans that he was recovering well.
Taking a light-hearted approach to his recovery, Abdul-Jabbar announced that he would be taking a brief break over the holidays to fully recuperate and spend quality time with his family. He expressed his eagerness to return with a shiny new hip and a wealth of thoughts to share with his audience on Substack, where he frequently writes about sports, politics, and culture.
Medical Statement from Kareem Abdul Jabbar’s longtime Business Partner, Deborah Morales
“Last night while attending a concert , Kareem had an accidental fall and broke his hip. He will have surgery today. We are all deeply appreciative of all the support for Kareem,…
— Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (@kaj33) December 16, 2023
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s impact on the NBA is legendary. Standing at an impressive 7 feet 2 inches (2.18 meters), he made his mark with the Milwaukee Bucks in 1969, leading them to their first NBA championship in 1971. He later joined the Los Angeles Lakers, forming a formidable duo with Magic Johnson and winning five NBA titles during the 1980s.
Beyond his sporting achievements, Abdul-Jabbar has also been a vocal advocate for social justice causes. Recognized as an author with more than a dozen books to his name, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from former President Barack Obama in 2016 for his contributions both on and off the court.
Despite facing previous health challenges, including chronic myelogenous leukemia, quadruple coronary bypass surgery, and treatment for prostate cancer, Abdul-Jabbar remains resilient. His positive attitude and unwavering spirit continue to inspire fans around the globe.
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As we wish Kareem Abdul-Jabbar a speedy recovery, let us eagerly anticipate his return to the public eye, where his insights and shining moments will undoubtedly captivate us once again. Until then, let’s celebrate his indomitable spirit and wish him a joyful holiday season as he embarks on the road to recovery.
