In the Blink of an Eye - An Autobiography

In an autobiography marked by staggering vulnerability, former NBA star Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf-whose given name was Chris Jackson before converting to Islam and changing it in 1991–recounts the twists, turns, trials, and triumphs of his life.  He is perhaps most well-known for being exiled from the league for praying-instead of standing and saluting the flag – during the playing of "The Star-Spangled Banner" before games throughout the 1995–96 season. Abdul-Rauf's protest sent shockwaves through the NBA that can still be felt today. With wit and candor, Abdul-Rauf tells the story of how he rose to the top of his game—only to have his career taken away in the blink of an eye when he stood up for his principles. He also recounts his experiences living with Tourette Syndrome, committing his life to the Islamic faith, and growing up estranged from his father.
 
In the Blink of an Eye challenges readers to examine our own lives by asking what we value, how we want to be remembered, and how we can contribute to making the world a better place. Through evocative passages that place the reader in the heat of the moment as well as poignant portraits of the important people in his life, In the Blink of an Eye will capture the attention of readers from all walks of life. This book is a must-read for anyone who has faced down adversity by standing up for the integrity of their own life, path, and identity. From his confrontations with racism—including the burning down of his house—to his difficult relationship with some of his closest family members, Adbul-Rauf reveals in intimate detail the important and inspirational, if painful, episodes that shaped his life.

About the author

Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf (born Chris Jackson) is a world-renowned professional basketball player who grew up in Gulfport, Mississippi. He first caught the nation’s attention in 1988 as a Louisiana State University (LSU) freshman sensation. That year he averaged 30.2 points per game, an NCAA record that stands to this day. In 1990, he entered the NBA after his sophomore year and was drafted 3^rd overall by the Denver Nuggets. In 1991, he converted to Islam and took the same Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf.
 
By the 1995–1996 season, Abdul-Rauf was unmatched on the court, scoring 51 against the seemingly unbreakable Utah Jazz, 32 on Michael Jordan, and leading his team in both points and assists. It was shortly before this time that Abdul-Rauf decided he would no longer stand for the national anthem, viewing the American flag as a symbol of oppression and racism. The NBA temporarily suspended Abdul-Rauf, and soon he was traded to the Sacramento Kings, where he was kept on the bench much of the time. After his contract expired, he found himself shunned by every NBA team, effectively forced out of the league. Today, Abdul-Rauf plays in the BIG3 basketball league where he was named co-captain of his team and led them to consecutive playoff and semi-finals games. He continues to participate in many speaking engagements around the world encouraging people to stand up for their principles. 

Summary

In an autobiography marked by staggering vulnerability, former NBA star Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf–whose given name was Chris Jackson before converting to Islam and changing it in 1991–recounts the twists, turns, trials, and triumphs of his life.  He is perhaps most well-known for being exiled from the league for praying—instead of standing and saluting the flag – during the playing of “The Star-Spangled Banner” before games throughout the 1995–96 season. Abdul-Rauf’s protest sent shockwaves through the NBA that can still be felt today. With wit and candor, Abdul-Rauf tells the story of how he rose to the top of his game—only to have his career taken away in the blink of an eye when he stood up for his principles. He also recounts his experiences living with Tourette Syndrome, committing his life to the Islamic faith, and growing up estranged from his father.

 

In the Blink of an Eye challenges readers to examine our own lives by asking what we value, how we want to be remembered, and how we can contribute to making the world a better place. Through evocative passages that place the reader in the heat of the moment as well as poignant portraits of the important people in his life, In the Blink of an Eye will capture the attention of readers from all walks of life. This book is a must-read for anyone who has faced down adversity by standing up for the integrity of their own life, path, and identity. From his confrontations with racism—including the burning down of his house—to his difficult relationship with some of his closest family members, Adbul-Rauf reveals in intimate detail the important and inspirational, if painful, episodes that shaped his life.

Foreword

In the Blink of an Eye

 

Marketing and Publicity Plan

 

·      Kaepernick Publishing will support the book across all platforms during both preorder and post-launch phases of the campaign. With a mix of paid social media advertising, cross-promotion with the BIG3 basketball league, a lecture tour, press mailers, and digital and social promotion, the Kaepernick team will build a broad awareness for the book. Our publicity outreach will target not only basketball fans, through outlets such as The Undefeated, Sports Illustrated, The Athletic, SLAM, and Franchise—but also media outlets geared toward the Black community such as The Root, Essence, and EBONY magazine.

 

Speaking engagements

Mahmoud regularly gives lectures across the country, relaying the story of his experiences as a professional basketball player, being blacklisted from the NBA, and how he has stood up for his principles over the years. He will promote the book during these lectures and will endeavor to have purchase of the book built into each ticket price for audience members.  Here is a list of his recent engagements since 2020:

·      Yale University

·      Harvard University

·      Rutgers University

·      Columbia University

·      Humanitarian Organization Islamic Relief

·      Muslim Legal Fund of America

·      Southern Methodist University

·      Adelphi University

·      University of Connecticut

·      University of Minnesota

·      University of St. Joseph

·      University of Illinois

·      College of William and Mary

·      Central Connecticut State University

·      Bristol Community College

·      Wheaton College

·      University of New Hampshire

·      Islamic Center of Greater Cincinnati

·      Noor Cultural Islamic Center

·      International Relief and Development

·      University of Pikeville

·      Fischer College

·      Louisiana State University

·      Averros High School

·      Earlham College

·      University of Central Missouri

·      Northwestern University

·      ICNA Relief

·      Al Arqum School College Prep

·      Boston Islamic Association

·      Highline College

·      UMMA Center

·      Virginia Tech

·      EPIC

·      George Milton Group

·      Texas Tech University

 

Social Media Support

A former NBA player and a current BIG3 player, Abdul-Rauf has a host of connections and platforms that could help promote the sale of the book, including LeBron James and Shaquille O’Neal, two of the most admired figures in sports today.

 

·      Mahmoud will ask some of his fellow players in the BIG3 league—Gary Payton, Rashard Lewis, Mamadou Ndiaye and Reggie Evans—to promote the book on their social media platforms in order to reach their individual fans.

·      Mahmoud will ask the BIG3 league to promote the book on their website, in their social media, and during in-person games.

·      Kaepernick Publishing will also run a paid social media campaign for the book:

o   $5,000 digital marketing budget with potential reach of up to 140 million online users across FB, IG, and Twitter

o   Posting cadence: 3-5 times weekly (subject to change based on early organic engagement). Every post will have a call to action to buy the book with clear pre-order / order link.

·      Kaepernick Publishing will simultaneously run an organic social media campaign:

o   Colin Kaepernick’s full commitment to promote the book on all his socials (over 7.5 million followers).

o   Colin Kaepernick’s full commitment to engage influencers in his circle and encourage them to publicize on socials.

o   Over 100 top influencers in Colin’s inner circle will receive a seeding kit in mid-September with an invitation to spread the word on social media. We will include sample language/templates and talking points.

·      Kaepernick Publishing will ask LeBron James and Shaquille O’Neal to promote the book on their social channels, and both players will provide a blurb for the book’s cover and in marketing.

 

Colin Kaepernick

·      Instagram @Kaepernick7 – 3.8M

·      Twitter @Kaepernick7  – 2.4M

·      Facebook – 1.5M

 

Kaepernick Publishing

• Instagram @KaepernickPublishing – 15.9K 
• Twitter @KaepernickPub – 16.2K
• Facebook – 6.5K

 

Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf

·      Instagram @mahmoudar123 – 67.8K

·      Twitter @RaufMahmoud – 9.7K

·      Facebook – 4.9K

 

Lebron James

·      Instagram @kingjames – 108M 

·      Twitter @KingJames — 50.6M

·      Facebook – 26M

 

Shaquille O’Neal

·      Instagram @shaq – 22.5M

·      Twitter @shaq—15.5M

·      Facebook – 9.2M

·      TikTok @shaqdieseloneal – 7.7M

 

Gary Payton

·      Instagram @gary.payton.20 – 390K

·      Twitter @GaryPayton – 126.8K

·      Facebook – 296K

 

Rashard Lewis

·      Instagram @lewisfamily9 – 104K

 

Mamadou Ndiaye

·      Instagram @mamadou_ndiaye34 – 99.4K

·      Twitter @mamadou_ndiaye34 – 300K

·      Facebook – 8K

·      TikTok @mamadou.75 - 679.3K

 

Reggie Evans

·      Instagram @reggieevans30 – 30.9K

·      Twitter @ReggieEvans30 – 54.5K

 

 

Publicity and Press Mailers

·      The Kaepernick Publishing publicity team will send advance copies not just to media outlets but also to popular social justice activists and sports influencers and players to get a word-of-mouth campaign started.

·      Mahmoud will be available for any national on-air or print interview appearances.

·      Mahmoud will do bookstore signings in 3 different cities such as New York, Chicago, and Denver (details to be confirmed).

 

Digital Integration

·      Kaepernick Publishing will host an online panel discussion (ticketed to include a purchase of the book) with Mahmoud and two other current or former professional athletes, on the subject of racial dynamics in pro sports.

·      Digital promotional banners will run on the Kaepernick Publishing site.

·      Flash sale, limited-time offers on its site with coupons for the book.

·      Digital page dedicated to book on the Kaepernick Publishing site.

·      E-mail promotion on email databases of over 80k subscribers.

 

Product details

• Authors: Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, Abdul-Rauf Mahmoud
• Publisher: Ingram Publishers Services
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 18.10.2022
• EAN: 9781595911209
• ISBN: 978-1-59591-120-9
• No. of pages: 256
• Dimensions: 152 mm x 215 mm x 19 mm
• Illustrations: Illustrationen, nicht spezifiziert
• Subjects: Fiction > Narrative literature > Letters, diaries; Non-fiction book > Philosophy, religion > Biographies, autobiographies; BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY / Religious, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Minority Studies, BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY / Sports, Biography: religious & spiritual, Ethnic groups and multicultural studies, Ethnic minorities & multicultural studies, Biography: religious and spiritual, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Biracial & Multiracial Studies, basketball; NBA; sports memoir; race; Tourette; Islam; Black, BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY / Cultural & Regional, race; Islam; basketball; Black; Tourette; sports memoir; NBA