10 Famous Sporting Protests
9. Abdul-Rauf Stays Seated
Before there was Kaepernick, NBA basketball player Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf stayed seated for the American national anthem in March 1996.
Abdul-Rauf, of the Denver Nuggets, believed that the United States flag was a symbol of oppression and tyranny, and standing for it would conflict with his Islamic faith. Born Chris Jackson, Abdul-Rauf converted and changed his name in 1991.
Unlike in the NFL, there is a mandate to stand for the national anthem in the NBA and Abdul-Rauf was suspended for his refusal to comply. NFL owners met this month to discuss this law and decided to maintain the freedom of choice that they have.
Two days later, Abdul-Rauf reached an agreement with the league whereby he would stand, but would be allowed to close his eyes and look downward when The Star-Spangled Banner played. He would often spend this time reciting Islamic prayer, in silence.