Don’t be surprised if you find a 7-foot-1, 275-pound NBA all-star in your mailbox next year.
Local NBA legend Wilt Chamberlain may be honored with a stamp by the United States Postal Service in 2012, commemorating the 50th anniversary of his 100-point game on March 2, 1962.
The idea came to Philadelphia Tribune sports writer Donald Hunt in February 2008 with the intent to “expand awareness of NBA greats among today’s youth,” according to the Philadelphia Tribune.
“Whenever a basketball player scores a lot of points, he is compared to Wilt,” said Hunt.
His idea came just in time, since USPS selection criteria requires that events of historical significance can only be considered “on anniversaries in multiples of 50 years,” according to NBA.com.
The movement has gained momentum thanks to the work of the Tribune and has even allegedly been endorsement by NBA Commissioner David Stern.
Philadelphia representative Ronald G Waters is also on board, and is planning to introduce a resolution to the State House urging the USPS to commemorate the career of the four-time MVP, said the Tribune.
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If the stamp is approved, Chamberlain will become the first basketball player in history to be honored with a stamp.
The United States Post Office receives thousands of stamp ideas every year, but luckily the request is “on their radar,” NBA.com reported.
“If you get 5,000 letters for a single subject, it gets noticed,” said USPS Spokesman Roy Betts.
Betts will know the final decision on the Chamberlain stamp in August, but keep an eye out for the official public announcement in the fall, reported NBA.com.
The USPS does not accept emails or phone calls, but you can show your support by mailing them a letter at:
Citizen’s Stamp Advisory Committee
c/o Stamp Development
U.S. Postal Service
475 L’Enfant Plaza SW, room 300
Washington, DC 20260-3501
You can also support the stamp by “liking” the petition on Facebook.
