Did Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Play Football In College Or The Pros?
No, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar did not play football at the professional level. In college, he earned consensus All-American honors in basketball and was a three-time UCLA consensus first-team All-American, leading the Bruins to three NCAA championships. He played on the freshman basketball team in 1966–67 under head coach John Wooden and then starred on the varsity from 1967–68 through 1969–70, scoring 2,321 points in three varsity seasons. Abdul-Jabbar was also a member of the UCLA Bruins football program as a freshman in 1966, playing tight end on the freshman football team, but he did not continue in football and focused exclusively on basketball thereafter. He was selected by the Milwaukee Bucks with the first overall pick in the 1969 NBA draft and never played professional football.
College Sports: Basketball Over Football
At UCLA, Abdul-Jabbar’s athletic identity was defined by basketball. As a center, he became one of the most decorated players in college history, receiving USBWA and UPI Player of the Year honors in his senior season and earning a place on multiple national All-America teams. His commitment to basketball set the stage for his historic NBA career. While he participated in football as a freshman, he did not pursue it beyond that year.
UCLA Freshman Football (1966)
During his first year on campus, Abdul-Jabbar tried out for and made the UCLA freshman football team at tight end. It was common for large student-athletes to sample multiple sports at the time, and he was physically capable of playing both sports. However, he chose to focus on basketball full-time after his freshman year, ending any realistic chance of playing college football at the varsity level or transitioning to the NFL.
UCLA Varsity Basketball Commitment (1967–1970)
From 1967 through 1970, Abdul-Jabbar’s sole focus was basketball under coach John Wooden. He became the centerpiece of the most dominant college program of the era, winning three consecutive NCAA titles and setting records that still stand. His decision to concentrate on basketball eliminated any opportunity to play varsity football or test the NFL waters as a two-sport professional prospect.
Professional Path: Basketball Only
Abdul-Jabbar entered the 1969 NBA draft and was drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks with the first overall pick. He signed a contract with the Bucks and later played for the Los Angeles Lakers, building a 20-year NBA career that included six MVP awards and six NBA championships. There is no record of him playing professional football or attending an NFL roster or tryout as a player.
Historical Context And Comparisons
In the late 1960s, it was not unheard of for elite athletes to compete in multiple sports in college, but few matched Abdul-Jabbar’s basketball achievements. Some players have transitioned successfully between football and basketball at high levels, but Abdul-Jabbar’s legacy is rooted entirely in basketball. His decision to focus on one sport maximized his impact and allowed him to refine a nearly unstoppable skyhook shot that defined his era.
Notable Details And Records
- College: UCLA (1966–1970), 3 varsity NCAA titles (1967, 1968, 1969)
- Freshman football: 1966 UCLA freshman team (tight end), no varsity appearances
- NBA career: 20 seasons, 6× NBA champion, 6× MVP, 2× Finals MVP, 19× All-Star
- No professional football records or appearances found in NBA or historical rosters
Quick Comparison: Basketball vs. Football Involvement
| Sport | Level | Years | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basketball | NCAA Varsity | 1967–1970 | 3 NCAA titles, All-American, MVP caliber |
| Football | NCAA Freshman | 1966 | Tight end, no varsity or pro continuation |
| Professional | NBA | 1970–1989 | 0 seasons of professional football |
FAQs
Did Kareem Abdul-Jabbar ever try out for an NFL team?
There is no verified public record or credible report of Abdul-Jabbar trying out for or signing with an NFL team. His documented athletic path concludes with his NBA career.
Why didn’t he pursue football professionally?
Abdul-Jabbar chose to focus exclusively on basketball after his freshman football season. His success and legacy in college and the NBA were built on basketball, and he did not pursue a professional football career.
What position did he play in college football?
He played tight end for the UCLA freshman football team in 1966. He did not play football on the UCLA varsity or in any professional league.
Summary
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s athletic career centers entirely on basketball. He played on the UCLA freshman football team in 1966 but did not play varsity or professional football. His historic NBA tenure, defined by scoring records, championships, and MVP awards, confirms that football was never part of his professional path.