There have been several controversial steps and initiatives taken by athletes throughout the years due to different needs of the hour. While many bounce back from the positive or negative reactions they receive for their actions, others are not so lucky. In 2016, NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick stirred a huge controversy with his form of protest against police brutality. Seven years later, a particular NBA veteran opened up regarding the aftermath of his protest.

Colin Kaepernick garnered massive attention when he refused to stand for the national anthem during the games. The former San Francisco 49ers star was protesting against racial injustice and police brutality noticeable across the country. As a result, his controversial actions effectively ended his career in the league.

Former NBA star relates to Kaepernick’s situation

20 years before Colin Kaepernick took the contentious step, NBA veteran Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf had gone through a similar situation. In 1996, the former Denver Nuggets star was put under media scrutiny when he refused to stand during the national anthem. Abdul-Rauf believed that the flag was a ‘symbol of oppression’. Consequently, his ‘beliefs’ led to massive protests by sports fans and his career eventually came to a halt when he got banned by the franchises in the league.

Abdul-Rauf’s documentary ‘Stand’ released on February 3, 2023. A days later, he made a guest appearance on SHOWTIME Basketball. In a recent episode of ALL THE SMOKE, the 3rd overall draft pick of the 1990 NBA Draft talked about the similarities between his and Kaepernick’s situation.

Abdul-Rauf said, “Well, he was publicly condemned for his statements. You know, because of our labels people don’t necessarily, when we label ourselves and we allow society to label us, they don’t see the rest of us.”

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Furthermore, he added, “So when an actress, an actor, an athlete…anytime you say something outside of that framework, it’s sacrilegious. It’s viewed as ridiculous ‘Shut up and dribble’. You don’t have the capacity to speak in this lane so this is the same thing that happened to him.”

Abdul-Rauf meets up with Kaepernick

While the NBA veteran didn’t know Colin Kaepernick well, he revealed that he had met him when his protests were at their peak. Apparently, both athletes had a mutual friend. During an interview with TMZ Sports, Abdul-Rauf shared that he talked to the NFL QB for about an hour during which both shared their experiences and important details with each other. However, there was apparently one thing that Kaepernick said that stuck with the former NBA star forever.

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“The biggest takeaway for me during that whole night was when he said this is the most freedom he’s ever felt in his life,” Abdul-Rauf told TMZ.