Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf
Kaepernick wasn’t the first athlete in major sports to protest during the national anthem. The Former Denver Nuggets guard stopped standing for the song in 1996. For 60 games, Abdul-Rauf stayed in the locker room or did stretching exercises near the court while the anthem played. The former LSU star said the U.S. flag was a symbol of tyranny.
“This country has a long history of that,” Abdul-Rauf said at the time. “I don’t think you can argue the facts. You can’t be for God and for oppression. It’s clear in the Koran, Islam is the only way. I don’t criticize those who stand, so don’t criticize me for sitting.”
The NBA suspended Abdul-Rauf for one game. Upon his return, Abdul-Rauf agreed to stand in prayer with his head down during the pre-game ceremony. He was traded to the Sacramento Kings in the following offseason and never returned to the NBA when his contract expired in 1998. Abdul-Rauf claims he was blackballed by league owners.
