The first time an athlete kneeled during the Star Spangled banner

 

Chris Jackson 53, who changed his name to Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf in 1993 decided to sit during the singing of the Star-Spangled Banner during the 1995-1996 season because Abdul-Rauf felt that it stood against his Islamic faith. Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf was suspended indefinitely without pay by the NBA by not respecting the rules that was put in place. Abdul-Rauf played for the Denver Nuggets from 1990-1996 and the Sacramento Kings from 1996-1998. Abdul-Rauf was a scoring point guard who knew how to get to the basket with his explosive speed and he had an excellent long range three-point shot. Abdul-Rauf was also an excellent free throw shooter. Did Mahmoud Adul-Rauf cut his own career short by defying the NBA rules? There will be some people who believe that Abdul-Rauf was blackballed by the NBA and others will believe that he knew the rules and complied all that time but never addressed this in fear of being cut by the Denver Nuggets and likely no team wanting to sign Abdul-Rauf as a free agent.

The media didn't make a big deal because at the time Abdul-Rauf was only suspended. Had the outcome would have been different, the media might have brought it up, but it wouldn't have been politicized like it is now the athletes kneel and not stand today. Also, Abdul-Rauf was a baller, he didn't do what athletes do in the NFL. The NFL players who decided to kneel during the singing of the National Anthem, their games were on the decline after being in the NFL for over 5 years. Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf was thought of as a version of Stephen Curry before Stephen Curry came in the NBA league in 2009. Mahmoud Abul-Rauf suffers from Tourette Syndrome, it's a disorder where a person twitch uncontrollably whether it's movements or sounds. 

I believe Abdul-Rauf cut his own career short because had he would not have let his biblical beliefs get in the way of doing a job he loved, then he would have probably played in the NBA for 13 years and maybe would have won an NBA Championship for the Denver Nuggets. Abul-Rauf could have talked to his coach if he felt that way, but he tried to get the NBA to bend their rules for him on Abdul-Rauf's stance. Abdul-Rauf didn't get paid to sit while the Star-Spangled banner was sung.  When you come to work, you have to follow their rules until you get another job or become your own boss.  

Lastly, anyone not standing during the National Anthem or singing The Star-Spangled banner in any sport should immediately be cut from that sport. It's not about your biblical beliefs or what you feel about cops shooting unarmed men or women. Athletes is not paid to disrespect the American flag and disrespect our soldiers who fought and even lost their lives for our freedom. That's all for free speech on all topics for today. Till next time, keep a lookout for all blogs like this. God Bless You!