Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf talked to ESPN's Steve Cyphers about his
decision to stand during the national anthem, thus ending his
short suspension. Abdul-Rauf: "In no way am I saying that I am
compromising what I believe in. I don't feel that in any way I
was wrong in my stand, but in Islam, if there is a better
approach to things, it is only wise to take that approach. And
after looking into what I did, I realized there is a better
approach." Rauf, when asked how he thinks the fans will react:
"I've said all along that the reason I do what I do, whatever it
is, I try to do it to please the Almighty. If I concerned myself
so much with the fans -- not to say that I don't appreciate the
fans' support -- but if I was to really concern myself with the
fans and the ups and downs that you go through, that would be
worshiping the fans." Asked if there would be any grievance or
legal action taken, Rauf commented, "I can't really say that"
("SportsCenter," ESPN, 3/14). All three major networks noted the
Rauf situation in their news broadcasts.
FROM THE LEAGUE: NBA Senior VP for Business and Legal
Affairs Jeffrey Mishkin: "We're glad this has been settled.
This is something we didn't want to get involved in at all, but
had no choice" (Peter May, BOSTON GLOBE, 3/15).
WAS THERE A BETTER WAY OUT? Michael Jordan said the NBPA
and the league should have settled the matter in private.
Jordan: "I think the union should have stepped in a long time
ago and found ways to compromise. This kid has been doing it for
60 games, and now, all of a sudden, the league wants to suspend
him" (BOSTON GLOBE, 3/15). Peter Vecsey credits acting NBPA Exec
Dir Alex English for finding a compromise (N.Y. POST, 3/15).
English: "I think [the NBA] kind of jumped the gun on this. I
don't know if they would admit it. But, given the chance to do
it again, they would probably do things differently" (N.Y. TIMES,
3/15).
