Why was Chris Jackson aka Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf suspended from the NBA?
Former NBA player Chris Jackson changed his name to Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf in 1993 after converting to Islam. An LSU standout, Abdul-Rauf was known for refusing to perform for the United States national anthem before games.
The NBA even suspended Adbul-Rauf on March 12, 1996 for his actions. He was fined $31,707 per missed game, but the two sides compromised and worked out the situation.
Abdul-Rauf was given permission to close his eyes and look down during the national anthem. He started his protest because of the anti-Islamic rhetoric in the country at the time. He received death threats for his actions and was hostile to opposing masses.
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Where is Chris Jackson aka Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf now?
Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf’s NBA career spanned nine seasons. He played the first six years of his career with the Denver Nuggets before being traded to the Sacramento Kings in 1996. After two years in Sacramento he played abroad for Fenerbache.
Abdul-Rauf returned to the NBA in 2000 as a member of the Vancouver Grizzlies. After his league career ended, he continued to play in Russia, Italy, Greece, Saudi Arabia and Japan until 2011.
The 53-year-old guard continued his career in 2018 by joining Ice Cube’s BIG3 league. He currently plays for the Three Headed Monsters, where he is the co-captain.
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Chris Jackson aka Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf stars in Showtime’s Stand
Before Colin Kaepernick knelt in protest in 2016, Chris Jackson, known as Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, refused to stand for the national anthem in 1996. Showtime has produced a documentary titled “Stand” which tells the life story of Abdul-Rauf.
Here is the full description of the documentation:
“A raw and unflinching exploration of the courageous life of basketball star and social justice activist Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf. Born Chris Jackson, Chris Jackson overcame tremendous adversity to reach the NBA and found his true calling when he converted to Islam.
“However, his decision not to run for the national anthem turned him from prodigy to outcast. Openly told by Abdul-Rauf himself more than 20 years later, it is the remarkable story of a man who kept the faith and paved the way for a social justice movement.”
“Stand” is scheduled to release on February 3, 2023 at 9pm ET on Showtime.
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