> Kap's a big deal because of our polarizing times. It'd be a
>blip on the radar in 95 or 05.


https://thinkprogress.org/mahmoud-abdul-rauf-protest-anthem-1f4b1a953f25/

Abdul-Rauf, who converted to Islam in 1991, stopped standing for the national anthem during the 1995-96 season. For about 60 games, he would either stretch during the anthem or stay inside the locker room, and it wasn’t an issue. But when a reporter asked him about it, he did not hide his reasoning behind his decision — and controversy exploded.

“You can’t be for God and for oppression. It’s clear in the Quran, Islam is the only way,” he said at the time, according to The Undefeated. “I don’t criticize those who stand, so don’t criticize me for sitting.”

The NBA suspended Abdul-Rauf for one game, and when he returned to the court, he struck a deal with the league — instead of sitting for the anthem, he would stand with his teammates but close his eyes and look downward. He would usually spend that time silently citing Islamic prayer.

Abdul-Rauf received death threats
for his decision
and
even
had
his
home
burned
to
the
ground.
The Denver Nuggets, which had drafted Abdul-Rauf third overall in the 1990 draft, traded him to the Sacramento Kings in 1996. With the Kings, his playing time drastically diminished. He went unsigned after the 1998 season, and played most of the rest of his career overseas until he retired in 2011.

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“There is no fate that cannot be surmounted by scorn.” -Albert Camus