#81- Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf: “Stand” ft. Joslyn Rose Lyons

Rebuilding The Beast - A podcast by Festus Ezeli

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You guys, I am so excited about our next guest. Today on the podcast we the legendary Mahmoud Abdul Rauf! Mahmoud is a former NBA player who has played for the Denver Nuggets, the Sacrament Kings, and Vancouver Grizzles. He is one of the greatest players in the game, even while living with a form of Tourettes.

We have seen his name in headlines often and not just for his incredible free throw shooters. In 1996, he made headlines for not standing up during the national anthem as a form of protest that ultimately lead to a temporary suspension.

To perfectly encapsulate his life, on February 3rd, a documentary called Stand will be airing on Showtime directed by our co-guest today Joslyn Rose Lyons.

Together with Mahmoud and Joslyn we cover

· How Mahmoud was comfortable enough to share his story in his new documentary.

· Joslyn’s experience working with Mahmoud and what it was like to talk to the people that know him.

· Growing up in Mississippi and how your environment shapes who you are.

· Getting opportunities to go to Basketball camps as a teenager, then how Mississippi withheld those opportunities from him.

· Getting diagnosed with Tourettes and how that helped and almost killed him on the court.

· Witnessing racism and his first-hand experience with the KKK.

· Why he chose LSU, excelling there, and then ultimately going to school with Shaq.

· What it was like not growing up with a father and how he tried to track him down.

· The pressure of being the 3rd draft pick for the Denver Nuggets.

· The anxiety and depression he experienced after moving to a new city and almost moving back to Mississippi.

· The decision to convert to Islam and how fasting improved his game.

· The decision to not stand during the national anthem and what he thinks of Colin Kaepernick.

· The affects 9/11 had on the Muslim community.

· Life after basketball.

There is so much more we hit on this episode and so much more I wish we did, so you already know I’m going to have him on for a part 2!

Be sure to tune into Stand Friday, February 3rd at 9pm EST.

Want to keep up with Mahmoud? Follow him on Instagram!

Want to keep up with Joslyn? Follow her on Instagram!

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