Even after retirement, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar keeps getting awards

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is one of the greatest players ever. Still, after 33 years after his retirement, he is a player that is really talked about. Up to this day, he still has the all-time scoring title. However, lately, he has been a part of many social movements. Since retiring from the NBA in 1989, Abdul-Jabbar has fought tirelessly for racial and religious equality and diversity, both through his work as an activist and as a best-selling author. Now he has a second Emmy Nomination for his work in a series.

His passion for these types of movements has opened a new window for the former player. Kareem was named a US global cultural ambassador in 2012. He was also given a Presidential Medal of Freedom by former President Barack Obama in 2016. The NBA has also given the all-star his acknowledgment by naming the Social Justice Champion award after him upon its launch in 2021 alongside two more players.

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Now Kareem Abdul Jabbar has received his second Emmy nomination for his narration in Black Patriots: Heroes of the Civil War." The documentary “takes a deep look at the Civil War, one of the most studied, debated, and dissected periods in American history, and the heroic figures who helped define and reshape the reality of a democracy” according to IMDb. This is the second time Kareem has participated in a documentary of this style.

“The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences has recognized Abdul-Jabbar's work on the film, nominating him for an Emmy in the “Outstanding Narrator” category” was explained in his nomination. The 6-time MVP was also awarded  the Double Helix Medal for his work in raising awareness for cancer research in 2011. That same year,  Abdul-Jabbar received an honorary degree from New York Institute of Technology. Plus the already mentioned first Emmy nomination for his “documentary special Black Patriots: Heroes of The Revolution”.

Other NBA figures with Academy awards

The first former NBA with a Academy award that comes to head is obviously Kobe Bryant as he won an Oscar for “Best Animated Short Film” in "Dear Basketball. Kevin Durant and Mike Conley also won an Oscars for Best Short Film in "Two Distant Strangers." Charles Barkley has won two Emmys for best figure in sports TV.