The '80s made up for all the abuse I took during the '70s. I outlived all my critics. By the time I retired, everybody saw me as a venerable institution. Things do change.Kareem Abdul Jabbar
Sports and entertainment are the only places where inner-city kids see themselves being able to succeed. Their intellectual development is something they don't relate to.Kareem Abdul Jabbar
The type of leukemia that I am dealing with is treatable. So if I do what my doctors tell me to do - get my blood checked regularly, take my meds and consult with my doctor and follow any additional instructions he might make - I will be able to maintain my good health and live my life with a minimum of disruptions to my lifestyle. Kareem Abdul Jabbar
When I was 17, I worked in a mentoring program in Harlem designed to improve the community. That's when I first gained an appreciation of the Harlem Renaissance, a time when African-Americans rose to prominence in American culture. For the first time, they were taken seriously as artists, musicians, writers, athletes, and as political thinkers.Kareem Abdul Jabbar
The word 'leukemia' is a very frightening word. In many instances, it's a killer and it's something that you have to deal with in a very serious and determined way if you're going to beat it.Kareem Abdul Jabbar
When we went up against teams that were better, I just hoped that we could steal the victories.Kareem Abdul Jabbar
This is what I would have done if I had to have a real job: I would have been a history teacher.Kareem Abdul Jabbar
Reporters used to ask me the same inane questions year-in and year-out, city-to-city, and it would drive me crazy. Kareem Abdul Jabbar
My grandfather and my uncle both died from colorectal cancer, my dad almost died from it and I have the gene for itKareem Abdul Jabbar
LeBron James can get a shot off under any and all circumstances and he makes them. Kareem Abdul Jabbar
Jackie Robinson, as an athlete and as someone who was trying to make a stand for equality, he was exemplary.Kareem Abdul Jabbar
What I have is P.H. positive chronic myeloid leukemia, which is an aberration in your white blood cells. Kareem Abdul Jabbar
When the line started to blur between the fans and the players, sometimes things can get ugly.Kareem Abdul Jabbar