Controversial former NBA participant says Colin Kaepernick had ‘most freedom’ he ever felt after anthem protests

Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf refused to face for the nationwide anthem in 1996, an act for which he was fined and suspended.

Colin Kaepernick revived the protest and have become the face of it when he knelt through the nationwide anthem 20 years later.

The previous NBA participant stated he met with Kaepernick through the peak of Kaepernick’s protests. Regardless of all of the backlash Kaepernick confronted, he felt at peace.

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“We by no means talked loads, however we did meet up within the Bay Space when he was going by way of what he did,” Abdul-Rauf informed TMZ Sports activities. “We had a mutual buddy. We met in like a non-public workplace. We spoke for about an hour. We simply shared info and, if it resonated, we took it.

“The most important takeaway for me throughout that complete night time was when he stated that is probably the most freedom he is ever felt in his life. I stated to him, ‘Effectively, it is due to this freedom that enables folks like your self and people who got here earlier than us and people who’ll come after us to take these dangers and do what you probably did.'”

The 2 used the nationwide anthem as a protest however for barely totally different causes. Abdul-Rauf stated the American flag was an emblem of oppression and that the US had an extended historical past of tyranny. Kaepernick protested in opposition to police brutality and racial inequality in the US.

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Kaepernick final performed within the NFL in January 2017. Abdul-Rauf thinks the previous San Francisco 49er desires to make a return to the NFL.

“I might think about he nonetheless does as a result of while you develop up like we did, many people begin younger. And so we practice, and that turns into a life for us. It is in our DNA. You simply do not flip that off, that aggressive spirit, immediately. Particularly the extent that he was taking part in in.”

Kaepernick took the Niners to Tremendous Bowl XLVII in 2013 however misplaced to the Baltimore Ravens.

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