Kaepernick meets with NBA anthem protestor Abdul-Rauf

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick bonded with former NBA guard Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf over social justice Friday.

Kaepernick is leading the NFL's discussion about racial injustice and police brutality after he first sat and has since taken a knee during the playing of the national anthem before NFL games. Twenty years ago, as a member of the Denver Nuggets, Abdul-Rauf refused to stand during the anthem. Born Chris Jackson before converting to Islam, he viewed the American flag as a symbol of oppression. Abdul-Rauf was suspended for the action, but later compromised with the league to stand and pray during the anthem.

The two met for an hour to share their stories and experiences, a source told Marc J. Spears of The Undefeated.

A photo of them (Abdul-Rauf is in white on the left) has since circulated:

Since Kaepernick has taken up the cause, Abdul-Rauf has posted on his Instagram page public discussions he's held on the subject.

He also posted a cartoon of the two athletes sharing a fictional conversation:

Since Kaepernick's protests began, rumors have surfaced that the quarterback has converted to Islam, but he has since denied those rumors, tying the speculation to Islamophobia.