Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has been a towering figure in basketball history, both literally and figuratively. The man is a living legend whose dominance spanned over two decades! He was so good that he retired as the NBA’s all-time leading scorer with 38,387 career points, and even after LeBron achieved the first place on the list, he is sitting comfortably in the second place after all this time! Off the court, he penned more than 14 books and in 2016, stood tall once again—this time at the White House—receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom for a life that soared far beyond basketball. Yet, even though his game made him stand among the greatest, it was his impact outside of the ring that made him special.

Today, fans everywhere are celebrating his 78th birthday. NBA History posted on X, “Join us in wishing a Happy 78th Birthday to 19x #NBAAllStar, 6x NBA Champion, 6x NBA MVP and 75th Anniversary Team member, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar! #NBABDAY.” But as fans shared tributes, concern crept in. Alongside the celebrations, a troubling video surfaced that had people asking questions. Was the icon doing okay?

Kareem appeared at a Jackie Robinson Day tribute at Dodger Stadium, arriving in a wheelchair. Cameras showed him being pushed toward Robinson’s statue, where he later stood for photos. A woman rushed to steady him, showing the care people feel for him. Despite the moment, Kareem smiled, ever graceful. Still, seeing him like that left fans uneasy. As one legend honored another, the moment was wholesome, to say the least.

But he was never this. During his prime, Kareem didn’t stay silent on tough issues. Even in high school, he pushed to celebrate cultural heritage. He refused to join the 1968 Olympics due to the political climate after Dr. King’s assassination. In recent years, he helped select finalists for the NBA’s Social Justice Champion award. His words still resonate: he believes players must keep using their voices because “we’ve got work to do.” That passion for justice never left him. However, seeing him in the wheelchair caused a lot of fans to be concerned about any underlying potential health problems.

Fans grow concerned for Kareem Abdul-Jabbar after scary surprise on 78th birthday

Back in 2023, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had hip surgery after a bad fall. It happened during a concert in Los Angeles, catching everyone off guard. For the pleasant surprise of the fans, the surgery went smoothly, and even his rep, Deborah Morales, came out and confirmed that there were no complications. Morales pointed out that Kareem would need around three months to recover.

One worried viewer reflected on the Kareem they remembered: strong, unstoppable, and still dunking deep into his 40s. “one of the goats. wish they could just give him new knees,” they wrote, clearly heartbroken to see him struggling to move. The words weren’t just about a fall: they were about watching a hero grow old. Another person simply said, “Poor Kareem dude is such legend.” He shared his feelings of sadness, looking at the legend being so vulnerable. The numbers, the memories, still stand tall, so seeing him taking support, aches.

Others started reflecting on him, still shaping his legacy despite his old age. A netizen added, “Kareem such an icon… he appreciates that he’s a bridge to history for the current players.” It reminded many that Kareem’s presence is about the legacy, memory, and connection. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is often seen as a bridge to history for current players due to his enduring legacy. For instance, when LeBron James surpassed Kareem’s all-time scoring record in 2023, Kareem was present to hand over the game ball, marking a significant moment of transition between two basketball eras.

Meanwhile, one fan pointed out how Kareem’s height of  7 feet 2 inches means that statistically, he would face many more struggles in his late years. He found a silver lining amid the situation: “Guys as tall as Kareem usually don’t last this long.” But they quickly added how grateful they were that he’s still going strong.

Someone else pointed out that he might just be in a wheelchair while recovering from the hip replacement surgery due to the bad fall. Moreover, they added, “Good to see him still getting out and about.” While it’s not known if it’s because of the injury, the fans remain hopeful. So while it’s tough to see him like this, people are thankful he’s still here, standing for the right causes.