×
GreekEnglish

×
  • Politics
  • Diaspora
  • World
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Cooking
Thursday
15
Jan 2026
weather symbol
Athens 16°C
  • Home
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • World
  • Diaspora
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Mediterranean Cooking
  • Weather
Contact follow Protothema:
Powered by Cloudevo
> World

Barack Obama jokes with NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (full ceremony video)

Presidential Medal Freedom Award ceremony

Newsroom November 23 10:01

US president Barack Obama hosted the recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom on Nov. 22 at the White House, awarding the country’s highest civilian honour to luminaries of business, sports, entertainment, activism, and art. Recipients included Bill and Melinda Gates, Tom Hanks, Ellen Degeneres, Robert DeNiro, Frank Gehry, Bruce Springsteen, Diana Ross, and Maya Lin.
But for Obama, a well-documented basketball fan, it could’ve been the attendance of Michael Jordan and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar who got him the most excited.
The president, standing respectably tall at 6’1”, was still no match for the NBA legend Abdul-Jabbar, who at 7’2” had to bend backwards, making for an awkward reverse bear hug as Obama awarded him his medal.

source: qz,com

Michael Jordan receives the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama at the @whitehouse!

A video posted by NBA (@nba) on Nov 22, 2016 at 3:09pm PST

>Related articles

What a new US operation against Iran would involve: the weapons and possible targets

“All cash”: Netflix is preparing a strategic move to accelerate its $83 billion deal with Warner Bros.

Why Gen Z is returning to religion: what new research in the United Kingdom shows

@kareemabduljabbar_33 receives the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama at the @whitehouse!

A video posted by NBA (@nba) on Nov 22, 2016 at 3:08pm PST

Ask me anything

Explore related questions

#award#Barack Obama#ceremony#culture#michael jordan#president#robert de niro#sports#tom hanks#US
> More World

Follow en.protothema.gr on Google News and be the first to know all the news

See all the latest News from Greece and the World, the moment they happen, at en.protothema.gr

> Latest Stories

Ballistic missile strike hits pier in Ukraine

January 15, 2026

Ursula von der Leyen from the Green Line: Pushing for a solution to the Cyprus issue is a priority

January 15, 2026

The ordeal of a 28-year-old Greek man in Australia: He went on holiday to visit relatives, was injured at a beach, and is at risk of quadriplegia

January 15, 2026

Princess Irene dies at the age of 83

January 15, 2026

Scientists uncover why the moon has a “two-faced” nature

January 15, 2026

Grief in Crete for the loss of Yannis Xylouris

January 15, 2026

“A Picasso for 100 euros” — Christie’s for a million-euro painting

January 15, 2026

Plyta in Pagkrati: Food for everyone in the atmosphere of a traditional café

January 15, 2026
All News

> Greece

Ursula von der Leyen from the Green Line: Pushing for a solution to the Cyprus issue is a priority

“A comprehensive, fair and lasting solution for Cyprus and for all Cypriots remains an absolute priority for the EU,” stressed the President of the European Commission

January 15, 2026

Princess Irene dies at the age of 83

January 15, 2026

Commander Ioannis Kizanis leads Greece’s newest Frigate “Kimon”

January 15, 2026

Naxos is on the list of the best destinations in the world for 2026

January 15, 2026

The most powerful passports in the world for 2026, the important position of Greece

January 15, 2026
Homepage
PERSONAL DATA PROTECTION POLICY COOKIES POLICY TERM OF USE
Powered by Cloudevo
Copyright © 2026 Πρώτο Θέμα