Why was Chris Jackson aka Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf suspended from the NBA?

Former NBA player Chris Jackson changed his name to Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf in 1993 after converting to Islam. A standout from LSU, Abdul-Rauf was known for his refusal to stand for the United States national anthem before games.

The NBA even suspended Adbul-Rauf for his actions on March 12, 1996. He was fined $31,707 per missed game, but the two sides compromised and worked out the situation.

Abdul-Rauf was given permission to close his eyes and look downward during the national anthem. He started his protest because of the anti-Islamic rhetoric in the country at the time. For his actions, he received death threats and opposing crowds were hostile towards him.

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Where is Chris Jackson aka Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf now?

Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf's NBA career lasted nine seasons. He played the first six years of his career with the Denver Nuggets before getting traded to the Sacramento Kings in 1996. After two years in Sacramento, he played overseas for Fenerbache.

Abdul-Rauf returned to the NBA in 2000 as a member of the Vancouver Grizzlies. After his career in the league ended, he continued to play overseas in Russia, Italy, Greece, Saudi Arabia and Japan until 2011.

The 53-year-old guard resumed his career in 2018 by joining Ice Cube's BIG3 league. He currently plays for the Three Headed Monsters, wherein he is the co-captain.

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Chris Jackson aka Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf to star in 'Stand' on Showtime

Poster for 'Stand' on Showtime (Photo: Showtime)

Before Colin Kaepernick kneeled in protest in 2016, Chris Jackson, famously known as Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, refused to stand for the national anthem in 1996. Showtime has produced a documentary titled "Stand," which tells the life story of Abdul-Rauf.

Here's the full description of the documentary:

"Raw and unflinching examination of the courageous life of basketball star and social justice activist Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf. Born Chris Jackson, he overcame tremendous adversity to reach the NBA and found his true calling when he converted to Islam.

"His decision not to stand for the national anthem, however, turned him from prodigy to pariah. Told candidly by Abdul-Rauf himself more than 20 years later, it's the remarkable story of one man who kept the faith and paved the way for a social justice movement."