Los Angeles Lakers legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar received the Lincoln Medal last night at the famed Ford’s Theatre in Washington D.C. Abdul-Jabbar was joined by actress Julie Andrews in receiving the award which recognizes their commitment to education, understanding and equality. Vice President Joe Biden spoke at the event, which benefitted the Ford’s Theatre Society.The 64-year-old was a transcendent figure during the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960’s and 1970’s. He boycotted the 1968 Summer Olympics as a protest to the unequal treatment of African-American’s in the United States. In 1971, he adopted the Islamic name Kareem Abdul-Jabbar after giving up his birth name, Lewis Alcindor. Abdul-Jabbar won six world championships during his legendary career, and was named the
NBA’s Most Valuable Player six times. He also won three national championships at UCLA and was
named the Naismath College Player of the Year in 1969. He is the NBA’s all-time scoring leader.
-Will Yoder
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