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UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Thursday. March 14. 1996
3B
Sitting down to stand up for beliefs
Islam leads Denver guard to sit during anthem; The NBA issues a suspension
The Associated Press
DENVER — Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf has created one of the NBA's biggest controversies by refusing to stand during the national anthem because of his Islamic beliefs.
The Denver Nuggets' leading scoring sorter was suspended indefinitely and without pay by the NBA on Tuesday. With a $2.6 million salary, Abdul-Rauf will lose $31,707 for every game he misses. If he sits out the rest of the season, he'll lose $665,853.
Despite contrary reports, Abdul-Rauf was not scheduled to meet in New York yesterday with NBA commissioner David Stern.
"There is no meeting," NBA representative Brian McIntyre said yesterday. "There never was one scheduled. I don't know where any of that came from."
Russ Granik, NBA deputy commissioner, said Abdul-Rauf violated a league rule that required players, coaches and trainers to stand and line up in a dignified posture during the U.S. and Canadian anthems. Abdul-Rauf, who called the American flag a symbol of oppression and tyranny, stopped standing for the anthem at the start of this season.
The NBA also said today the Nuggets first raised the issue a few weeks ago.
"We informed them of our rule, and they asked us if they could take time to work this out with Mahmoud. We agreed." McIntyre said. "We were under the assumption they would be able to work something out. But yesterday, he made his position very clear and was adamant that he would not comply with the rule. We were left with no choice. It's a simple procedural rule, and the rule applies to everyone."
Charlie Lyons, president and chief executive
officer of Ascent Entertainment Group, which owns the Nuggets, said the NBA's action spoke for itself, agreeing that the league's rules apply to everyone involved in the NBA.
Abdul-Rauf was not at McNichols Arena for Tuesday night's 110-93 victory against Orlando and was unavailable for comment.
At a shootaround earlier in the day, however, Abdul-Rauf said he didn't believe in standing for any nationalistic ideology. The Koran, he said, states nothing should come between him and Allah.
"My beliefs are more important to me than
"My beliefs are mo-
anything," Abdul-Rauf
said before learning of
the suspension. "If I
have to, I'll give up
basketball."
Abul-Rauf is in the second year of a fouryear, $11.2 million contract. He said: "This country has a long history of that. I don't think you can argue the facts. You can't be for God and for oppression. It's clear in the Koran; Islam is the only way. I don't criticize those who stand, so don't criticize me for sitting.
The 6-foot-1, 160-pound guard, who is averaging 19.6 points a game, has typically done stretching exercises while sitting on the bench during the anthem. His policy has drawn criticism from some fans. Recently he stayed in the locker room during the anthem and then joined his teammates on the bench just before tipoff.
"I'm a Muslim first and a Muslim last," he said. "My duty is to my creator, not to nationalistic ideology."
Abul-Rauf's teammates, although reluctant to talk about the dispute, supported him.
"My beliefs are more important to
"I wish those of us who are Christians were as
Ed Wearing, state commander of The American Legion veterans organization in Colorado, suggested that Abdul-Rauf renounce his U.S. citizenship.
"Refusing to stand up and recognize the unity of this nation as embodied under the flag to me is tantamount to treason." Wearing said.
I won't waver from my decision."
me than anything. If I have to, I'll give up basketball."
Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf Denver Nuggets' guard
Abdul-Rauf, the former Chris Jackson who starred at Louisiana State, embraced Islam in 1991. Last summer, he was the keynote speaker at an Islamic conference of 700 people in Orange County, Calif.
dedicated to our religion as he is to his," LaPhonso Ellis said. "I admire the guy for his perseverance."
Dikembe Mutombo was critical of the timing of the suspension.
"If the league knew he was not standing for the anthem during the whole season, they should have approached him the first or second game," Mutombo said. "It's ridiculous that they did it now. They've made this into a national issue. We love Mahmud, and we can't be upset with what he is doing."
Orlando Magic center Shaquille O'Neal, whose team played the Nuggets Tuesday
night, defended Abdul-Rauf's position.
"People have different beliefs," O'Neal said. "People should respect that. It isn't dishonorable."
Magic Johnson, who draped himself with an American flag during the gold medal ceremony at the 1992 Olympics, said he respected Abdul-Rauf's rule to act on principles.
"Do I think it right? No," he said Tuesday from Inglewood, Calif., before the Lakers played the Trail Blazers. "I don't think it's right in my mind. But if that's what he decides to do, and he thinks it right, that's up to him."
Sold Blades won't leave Kansas City
New owner also owns part of Orlando Magic, and Griffins IHF team
The Associated Press
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Blades of the International Hockey League have been sold to Grand Rapids, Mich., businessman Daniel DeVos.
DeVos also is president and chief executive officer of the Grand Rapids Griffins, who will become the 20th member of the IHL next season.
Owner Russ Parker announced yesterday that he had sold the team on condition that it stay in Kansas City.
He is part owner of the NBA's Orlando Magic, is vice president for corporate affairs of Amway Corp. and serves on the boards of numerous other companies.
Parker said he had decided to sell the team because of the long distance he had to travel from his home in Calgary, Alberta, to see the team play.
"Financially, this franchise has been solid from day one," Parker said. "And Diane (Parker's wife) and I made it clear that the sale of the club was contingent on keeping it in Kansas City."
IHL commissioner Bub Ufer attended the news conference when the sale was announced. Ufer said the league had approved it and would watch for any conflicts that might arise from DeVos' ownership of two teams.
"We have taken appropriate measures to assure autonomy of the hockey operations, and the league will closely monitor player transactions," Ufer said. "Any player transactions must be approved by the league office. The standards we've set leave no questions."
Douglas will fight again
The Associated Press
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Former heavyweight champion James "Buster" Douglas will return to boxing this spring, a close associate said today.
Shelly Wood, described as Douglas' personal assistant, confirmed that Douglas will meet Tony LaRosa of Chicago on May 18 in Miami as part of an undercard before the Hector Camacho-Roberto Duran fight.
The Columbus native, who will turn 36 on April 7, now lives on Marco Island, Fla., and trains in Miami.
world Feb.11, 1990, when he handed Mike Tyson his only professional defeat and captured the heavyweight title.
Wood said Douglas would travel to Big Bear, Calif., to train for the fight.
Douglas surprised the sports
Douglas has not fought since Evander Holyfield knocked him out in the third round on Oct.25,1990.
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