Basketball Legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Gives 900 Safety Goggles to UCLA

Those long arms are still dunking but this time it’s in the name of coronavirus relief! Former UCLA Bruin player, Lew Alcindor, who is better known as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, has come through by supplying 900 safety goggles to his alma mater, according to CBS News.

Abdul-Jabbar, who was known for his rich basketball career from playing at Power Memorial Academy in high school in New York City to his time playing college ball at UCLA to his Hall of Fame career playing for the Milwaukee Bucks and the Los Angeles Lakers, was just as famous for wearing protective goggles. The Los Angeles Lakers legend donated 900 pairs of safety goggles to UCLA Health Tuesday to assist the healthcare professionals so that they stay protected on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic.

“I would like to do my part, so I am going to use my influence and have my team source quality medical products, such as protective eyewear goggles like these. You guys should have all the best equipment while you’re on the front lines. Thank you for all you do,” Abdul-Jabbar said.

UCLA Health tweeted a photograph of Dr. Eric Esrailian accepting the gracious donation from Abdul-Jabbar.

Eric Esrailian, MD (@esrailian) accepts a generous donation of protective goggles from Kareem Abdul Jabbar (@kaj33) to help with the continued need to replenish our supplies of PPE to protect our front-line heroes. Read more: https://t.co/iStDPcQxe1 #TeamLA #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/oqq2JbyeW3

— UCLA Health (@UCLAHealth) April 7, 2020

To which Abdul-Jabbar responded that he was glad to be able to help the medical community:

I’m a Bruin through and through and I’m glad to lend any help that I can to the medical community who is doing everything they can to save lives – we appreciate you & we are with you !!!

— Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (@kaj33) April 7, 2020

“On behalf of UCLA Health, I am honored and grateful to accept the generous donation of protective goggles from our friend, the legendary Kareem Abdul-Jabbar,” Esrailian tells CBS.

“We are incredibly grateful for the recent outpouring of financial support and donations of supplies during this unprecedented time.”