"My involvement with drugs came about from peer pressure" - When Kareem Abdul-Jabbar defended his role model stance

Kareem Abdul Jabbar 's impact was profound, both on and off the court. Rising from humble beginnings, his dominant playing style became a model for aspiring players. Beyond his athletic prowess, 'Cap' was known for his outspoken nature on various social issues.

That said, Kareem sometimes got too honest about things, especially given that no matter what he did or said, many followed.

So, when the legendary big man opened up about his drug exposure, Abdul-Jabbar was criticized by many for revealing too much. In response, the six-time NBA champion firmly defended his transparency, asserting that everyone needs to be aware of the truth, regardless of its uncomfortable nature.

Media took notice of Kareem discussing drug use

In his autobiography 'Giant Steps,' the 19-time All-Star mentioned experimenting with drugs such as cocaine, LSD, and marijuana. Naturally, the media zeroed in on that tiny part in their reviews, and Kareem wasn't happy about it.

"It's one small part of the book, and it's the only thing they decided to deal with," the  Los Angeles Lakers legend said after the book was released in 1983. "I didn't think that was right, but I guess they wanted to sell papers or something."

KAJ defended his role model status

As if the media criticism wasn't enough, one particular fan even wrote a letter to the book's editor, saying that the two-time Finals MVP shouldn't have included that part. He believed that young kids would try to emulate Kareem and experiment with drugs themselves.

In response, the New York native voiced his opinion, proudly defending his role as a responsible role model for the younger generation.

"I'm going to be a role model whether I want to or not," Kareem said. "I just hope that 7-year-old, if he reads the book, will understand that there are dangers out there - things that people will tell him are good for him, just like they did to me. My involvement with drugs came about from peer pressure, mainly and curiosity. In the late 1960s, that was a big deal."

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