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Why Basketball Star Wilt Chamberlain Was Investigated By The FBI For Air Piracy And Hijacking
The NBA legend nearly landed in hot water when he had a very bad day at a Chicago airport
Former basketball superstar Wilt Chamberlain was widely known for many things throughout his notable career. A massive man who could do magical things with the basketball, he was also a self-professed prolific lover. Being such a big celebrity frequently placed him in the spotlight, but not always for good reasons. One of his most embarrassing incidents occurred in 1972 when he came to the attention of the FBI due to him being suspected of threatening to hijack an airplane.
Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Chamberlain grew to be an incredibly athletic 7'1”, which in turn helped him become a dominant force on the basketball court. After starring at the University of Kansas, he jumped to the NBA and embarked on a remarkable 15-year career (1959–1973) as a center, during which times he set numerous records for scoring and rebounding.
His scoring ability was legendary, and he is probably best known for his historic 100-point game in 1962 while playing for the Philadelphia Warriors; a feat that remains unchallenged in NBA history.
