Getting That Kareem Signature
So, I’ve always been a big basketball fan, especially from that era. And Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, man, that skyhook was something else. Just iconic. For a long time, I thought it’d be pretty cool to have something signed by him. Not like I knew how to make that happen, just one of those things you think about.
I started looking around online, seeing how people get autographs these days. Found out some folks try sending stuff through the mail. Seemed kinda crazy, like sending something valuable off and just hoping it comes back. But I saw some people had luck, so I figured, why not give it a shot? What’s the worst that happens, I lose a photo?
Prepping the Package
Okay, so first thing, I needed something for him to sign. Didn’t want to send a bulky jersey or a ball. I found this really nice 8×10 photo of him doing the skyhook, classic shot. Perfect.
- Got the photo.
- Bought a good pen, a blue Sharpie, thought that would look good.
- Got a bigger envelope to send it all in.
- Crucially, I included another envelope, self-addressed with postage already on it, so they could send it back easily. That felt important.
- Wrote a short, simple letter. Just said I was a huge fan, admired his career and everything, and would be honored if he could sign the photo. Kept it brief.
Sending it Off and Waiting
Packed it all up carefully, trying to make sure the photo wouldn’t bend. Put the photo, the return envelope, and my little note inside the main envelope. Addressed it to the place I found online where people suggested sending fan mail. Dropped it in the mailbox. Felt weird, honestly. Like tossing a message in a bottle.
Then came the waiting part. And man, that takes patience. Weeks went by. Then a month. Then maybe two? I dunno, I kinda stopped counting precisely. You check the mail every day for a while, then you kinda figure, “Ah well, it was worth a try.” You sort of put it out of your mind, thinking it’s lost or just didn’t make it.
The Payoff
Then one afternoon, checking the mail like usual, there was this larger envelope. Looked familiar. It was the self-addressed one I sent out! My own handwriting on it. Felt a bit heavier than when I sent it. My stomach did a little flip. Was this it? Did it actually work?
I took it inside and opened it really carefully. Didn’t want to mess anything up. Pulled out the photo and… bam! There it was. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s signature, right there on the photo, clear as day in that blue Sharpie. It actually worked! I was totally blown away. Couldn’t quite believe he, or someone on his team, actually took the time to sign it and send it back.
It’s framed now, sitting on a shelf in my office. Every time I look at it, I kinda get a kick out of it. Just a cool piece of memorabilia, and the whole process of sending it off and actually getting it back makes it feel a bit more special, you know? Just took a chance, and it paid off. Pretty awesome.
