The legendary Harlem Globetrotters played their first game 90 days ago today , on January 7 , 1927 . In the cheeseparing - century since , a quality few the great unwashed have been key “ honorary Globetrotters . ” While there are athletes on the list , most of them are n’t exactly people who can care a basketball game like Meadowlark Lemon .
1. HENRY KISSINGER
In 1976 , Henry Kissinger was hold the first - ever penis of the honorary roster . “ I ’m not too good at the fast break , but I ’m hard on defence , and despite my meridian , I ’m a fairly good rebounder , ” Kissingersaid . “ It is an honour to be associate with a chemical group whose won - and - lost book was certainly good than my own . My only worry is how I will reckon in short pants . ”
2. BOB HOPE
Hope was appoint an honorary Globetrotter in 1977 , receiving jersey phone number 1 . It ’s no surprisal that the fabled comedian ’s acceptance letter wasfull of laugh :
3. KAREEM ABDUL-JABBAR
The Globetrotters provide Abdul - Jabbar areported $ 1 millionto play basketball game for them back in 1969 , but he declined and went on to become the first choice in the NBA draft that year . They eventually impart him to the lineup as an honorary memberin 1989 .
4. WHOOPI GOLDBERG
Comedian and actress Whoopi Goldberg also join the teamin 1989 .
5. NELSON MANDELA
In 1996 , the Globetrottersmade historywhen they became the first professional basketball game team to act in a free popular South Africa . They also hosted clinics , made school and hospital visits , and honored President Nelson Mandela with his own figure .
6. JACKIE JOYNER-KERSEE
Track and landing field Olympian Jackie Joyner - Kersee became thesixth memberof the honorary squad in 1999 . Though she ’s know for her prowess around the track , Joyner - Kersee could hold her own if the Globetrotters ever asked her to jump in on the court : She brieflyplayedfor the Richmond Rage in the women ’s American Basketball League .
7. POPE JOHN PAUL II
Pope John Paul IImade the cutin 2000 , receiving New Jersey number 75 in honor of the Globetrotters ’ seventy-fifth anniversary .
8. JESSE JACKSON
The civic right activist famously stood up for the Globetrotters when they were knock for portray African - Americans as buffoonish . “ I think they ’ve been a positive influence , ” Jacksonsaid . “ … They did not show blacks as stupid . On the reverse , they were show as superior . ” Jackson was inductedin 2001 .
9. POPE FRANCIS
The Globetrotters have not one , but two holy roller on their honorary card . Pope Francis was tote up to the honorary roll in 2015 . “ His tireless work for the well - being of the poor and senior , his humanitarian movement , and his committal to bridge over interruption between people of various culture are way the Harlem Globetrotters also aspire to adjoin life around the world , ” Globetrotters CEO Kurt Schneidersaid .
Globetrotters Hi - Lite Bruton , Ant Atkinson , Big Easy Lofton , and Flight Time Lang essay to learn the Pope the honest-to-goodness john of spinning a basketball on one finger , but as you may see from the television above , His Holiness should believably stickto recording albums .
10. ROBIN ROBERTS
Award - make headway newscaster Robin Roberts bring together the teamin 2015 , get jersey number 21 — the same number she woreas a basketball playerfor Southeastern Louisiana University . “ She used her platform as a journalist to altruistically make her personal health battle public in decree to bring up cognizance of the need for bone marrow donors , and by doing so , she potentially helped save lives , ” Schneider allege . “ Robin fully embodies the ambassadorial spirit the Globetrotters have exuded for 90 age . "
All picture courtesy of Getty Images .
