far as i could see, to convey that. listen, i have to get to this, because i think it s really important, i ve got one more thing that i really want to ask you about and it s very exciting, that you are auctioning off some of your own sports memorabilia, your championship rings, signed jerseys, for really, really great cause. can you tell us about that? well, my foundation works with the l.a. unified school district and we send kids to camp for four nights and five days to study s.t.e.m. subjects. hands on, with people provided by the l.a. unified school district. and it really opens kids minds up to the possibilities of great jobs in the 21st century, and it gives them, as i say, a shot that can t be blocked, like my sky hook. working with goldin auctions,
now we ve got to actually give them medals so please be patient. we are going to have my military aide rethe citations. each one of them will come up and receive the medals and we ll wrap up the program. kareem abdul-jabbar. this one is going to be tough. [ laughter ] [ laughter ] an iconic basketball player who revolutionized the sport with his all-around play and signature sky hook, kareem abdul-jabbar is a 19-time all
he did it all while dragging la mere up and down the court for 48 minutes. but the reason we honor kareem is more than just a pair of goggles and the sky hook. he stood up for his muslim faith when it wasn t easy and it wasn t popular. he was comfortable sparring with bruce lee as he is advocating on capitol hill or writing with extraordinary eloquence about patrioti patriotism. physically, intellectually, spiritually, kareem is one of a kind. an american who illuminates our bake freedoms and our highest aspirations. when he was 5 years old, michael jordan nearly cut off his big toe with an axe. back then his hands needed a
[ laughter [ laughter ] he did it all while dragging walton and lanier up and down the court for 48 minutes. but the reason we honor kareem is more than just a pair of goggles and the sky hook. he stood up for his muslim faith when it wasn t easy and it wasn t popular. he s as comfortable sparring with bruce lee as he is advoc e advocating on capitol hill or writing with extraordinary eloquence about patriotism. physically, intellectually, spiritually, kareem is one of a kind, an american who illuminates our most basic freedoms and our highest aspirations. when he was five years old, michael jordan nearly cut off his big toe with an ax. [ laughter ] back then his hand holds needed a little work. but think, if things had gone differently, air jordans might
signature sky hook. kareem abdul-jabbar is a 19-time all-star, a six-time world champion and leading scorer in nba history. adding to his achievements on the court, he also left his mark off of it advocating for civil rights, cancer research, science education and social justice. in doing so, kareem abdul-jabbar leaves a towering legacy of compassion, faith and service to others. a legacy based not only on the strength and grafs his athleticism but on the sharpness of his mind and the size of his heart. [ applause ] [ applause ]