“Pain heals. Chicks dig scars. But glory lasts forever,” are the words uttered by Shane Falco at the end of The Replacements. The film about replacement players during a football strike may be a comedy, but these words ring true. The 1970s was a decade filled with sports glory. From Muhammad Ali’s legendary career to Walter Peyton’s record-setting legs, few decades were filled with as much sports greatness as the ’70s. Here, for your pleasure, are the greatest athletes from the decade of disco. Do you remember who the NHL’s first million-dollar contract was given to? Stick around to find out!
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Was The GOAT Before Jordan Or James
Photo Credit: David Madison/Getty Images
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar dominated the NBA for 19 seasons. Ten of those Hall of Fame seasons came from 1970 to 1980, a period that saw him dominate his sport as few had ever seen. By the end of it all, he led the league in minutes played, points scored, field goals made, and games played.
By the time the ’70s ended, Abdul-Jabbar had won his first of six MVP awards, appeared in nine all-star games, and was named to six All-NBA First teams. Did we mention his signature shot? When he would go up for a shot, he’d bend his entire body, creating what became known as the “skyhook shot.”
