Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf: Colin Kaepernick Never Felt Freer Than After Kneeling For Anthem

Former NBA gamer Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf — best understood for his rejection to represent the “Star Spangled Banner” prior to video games — states Colin Kaepernick when informed him he never felt freer than after kneeling for the National Anthem.

TMZ Sports talked to the previous #3 total choice, whom lots of people compared Colin to in the wake of the demonstration, about a conference he had with the NFL star a couple of years back, after Kap decided not to represent the anthem as a method to highlight racial oppression, authorities cruelty, and injustice in the U.S.

Abdul-Rauf states he didn’t understand Colin well, however did hang around with the quarterback a couple of years back.

“We never talked a lot, but we did meet up in the Bay Area when he was going through what he did,” Abdul-Rauf informed us.

“We had a mutual friend. We met in like a private office. We spoke for about an hour. We just shared information and if it resonated, we took it.”

And, Mahmoud states there was something Kaepernick stated that stuck to him above whatever else.

“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. I said to him, ‘well, it’s because of this freedom that allows people like yourself and those who came before us and those who’ll come after us to take those risks and do what you did.'”

Mahmoud states he saw resemblances in between what occurred with him and Kaepernick — and how they were dealt with after they picked to oppose the anthem — so he connected to the signal caller to reveal assistance.

Despite not playing football in years, Abdul-Rauf thinks 35-year-old Kaepernick would still like to play in the NFL.

“I would imagine he still does because when you grow up like we did,” Mahmoud stated … “many of us start young. And so we train and that becomes a life for us. It’s in our DNA. You just don’t turn that off.”

Of course, prior to Kap, there was Mahmoud … and now the long time NBA gamer and 2003’s Most Improved Player award winner is launching a documentary called “STAND”.

Abdul-Rauf states the doc will record the story of how he conquered hardship and a nerve system condition (Tourette syndrome) to make it to the NBA, where he turned into one of the most polarizing figures in league history.