As a professional athlete, especially in the United States of America, you will find yourselves condemned and have your name and existence tarnished if the vast majority find you behaving in a manner that’s opposed to the norm.
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Considering the fact that the US came into existence through disputes and controversies*, one would imagine that over 200 years later, the freedom they attained centuries ago would hold some value.
But alas, how they were wrong! The Colin Kaepernick scenario is one that springs to mind when social problems are brought to light. Over six years ago, Kapernick had opted for career suicide when he consciously chose to kneel during the US national anthem.
His actions were in response to the substantial police brutality that was ongoing in the US. The measures jeopardized his entire future as the Quarterback has not played in the league since.
While the motives and intention of his actions were good, ‘Kaep’s’ future was nonexistent in light of the scenario. An NBA representative who can attest to the harsh truth of reality is Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf!
The former NBA athlete was blackballed from the NBA under similar circumstances.
Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf was NBA’s Colin Kaepernick but 20-years ahead of time
It’s quite frequent that we come across conceivable scenarios whereby they are considered isolated incidents. In most cases, it’s seldom that we come across disputable events where they have a parallel.
In the case of Colin Kaepernick and the NFL, they do have a similarity with regard to the NBA.
Back in the 1990s, Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf was a player for the Denver Nuggets and was selected as the third overall pick in 1990. The American had an opulent lifestyle and a future he could comprehend and look forward to.
However, it would all come crashing down, when the outspoken Raouf couldn’t hold his words back in.
In a kindred setting, Abdul Raouf decided to take a stand against the violence and ruthlessness incited by the police force. As such he faced the consequences of his actions. He was suspended for a game and was fined a hefty sum of $32000.
In retrospect, it was a preview of what was to come. Speaking about the incident, Mohammad Abdul Raouf had the following to say:
“Listen,” he started in an interview with the Guardian. “I lost millions because I couldn’t keep my mouth shut. That personality, I don’t think, would have been any different. So, it’s possible that the NBA wouldn’t have been on the horizon for me. … There are things I’m going to speak about whether a person likes it or not. Not with the intention of being ugly. Just with the intention of trying to be as true to myself as I can be. Some people don’t like that, and I get it.”
One would assume that since Raouf’s incident came at a time when the problems of the US weren’t so prevalent to the global masses, it was swept under the rug.
But taking into consideration the technological advancements and the media reach that mankind had attained in 2016, Colin Kapernick deserved a fair chance at his career, in the aftermath of doing nothing wrong.
The repercussions faced by Abdul-Rauf
The steps taken by the 53-year-old effectively rendered his career over. Abdul-Rauf did receive support from a few of his peers such as Jalen Rose and Shaquille O’Neal, but before he knew it, he was traded from the Nuggets to the Sacramento Kings.
There, his appearances and eventually playing time deteriorated, and was eventually cast out from the league before he turned 30. He did, however, make a return in 2000 for 41 games with the newly expanded franchise, the Vancouver Grizzlies.
Nonetheless, there as well he played just 12 minutes. A sturdy price for attempting to bring out a change.
