Most people talk about a basketball legend whenever they hear the name Kareem Abdul-Jabbar . For them, his legacy was limited to the feats he achieved on the court. However, those who truly knew Abdul-Jabbar also recognize his off-the-court accomplishments.
In 2021, a giant mural on the wall of the Hotel Figueroa in downtown Los Angeles served as a reminder of how legendary Lew is outside basketball as well. Kareem himself even went there and took a photo of it, expressing that he totally agreed with the mural's message.
"Six championship rings, the NBA points record, the MVP record and my dunk was outlawed. I'm a five-time columnist of the year, I gave my name to the NBA Social Justice Champion Award and I have a presidential medal of freedom."
"The only thing retired is my jersey," the mural's message read.
That same year, NBA correspondent Marc Stein asked Abdul-Jabbar to comment on the mural. The six-time MVP was quizzed to reveal if his accomplishments off the court have become more significant to him now that he has been retired for years.
According to Kareem, what he does off the court carries just as much weight as his long list of accolades as a player. He always felt that being one of the best athletes to ever lace up a pair of sneakers was only one chapter of his life.
For Abdul-Jabbar, writing books that challenged the status quo, advocating for racial equality and pouring his energy into charitable endeavors were works that also meant a lot to him. Admittedly, Kareem liked the insightful message of his mural. He doesn't just want to be remembered as a generational athlete. He also wants it known that he gave everything he had to make the world a better place.
"They are both important to me," the Hall of Famer revealed . "I don't think about awards or records as a personal validation, but as a measurement of how hard I worked to provide good entertainment for the fans and to be a good teammate."
"I am grateful that my success in basketball gave me a platform to speak out against injustice, to create the Skyhook Foundation to help kids get a better STEM education and to bring awareness to issues affecting the country," he continued.
Truth be told, it's hard to overstate just how transcendent Abdul-Jabbar is. We're not talking about a former athlete who decided to dabble in writing. He's actually a highly acclaimed author.
Over 17 of the books Kareem has written were New York Times best-sellers. His trophy cabinet isn't just full of MVP and championship awards. It's also packed with NAACP Awards for children's literature and multiple Columnist of the Year honors. Cap is also revered for his work as a U.S. Cultural Ambassador.
Yet, there seems to be a strange disconnect in how the public perceives the great Kareem . Despite his notable contributions to society, Abdul-Jabbar lacks the adulation showered upon other legendary athletes who are also impactful outside sports.
Kareem himself has a grounded theory on why that has been the case. He believes it was probably because he was often reserved, introspective and intensely private, while his peers are always engaging and charismatic.
"Well, it had a negative effect on how I was portrayed," Abdul-Jabbar once opened up .
"But I had no one to explain the value of public relations to me. When I was in college, there was such an intense demand from the press that John Wooden said they couldn't talk to me at all. So that was what I took for normal going into the NBA. So I didn't always respond to social situations in a pleasant way."
All told, Abdul-Jabbar deserves all the praise and respect. While basketball fans were already impressed with his athletic abilities and competitive spirit, Kareem chose to go beyond and give it all he had, not only for sports aficionados but for his fellow countrymen as well.
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Mar 21, 2026, where it first appeared in the Off The Court section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
