Kareem Abdul Jabbar sold his four championship rings and three MVP awards among other memorabilia items years ago. At the time, the sale was worth $2.8 million, which Abdul-Jabbar used to help support a youth education program.
“When it comes to choosing between storing a championship ring or trophy in a room, or providing kids with an opportunity to change their lives, the choice is pretty simple,” said Abdul-Jabbar to ESPN at the time. “Sell it all. Looking back on what I have done with my life, instead of gazing at the sparkle of jewels or gold plating celebrating something I did a long time ago, I’d rather look into the delighted face of a child holding their first caterpillar and think about what I might be doing for their future. That’s a history that has no price.”
