Shaq Asks LSU To Retire The Jersey Of A Former Teammate

Shaquille O'Neal is the most well known player to ever wear an LSU jersey (sorry Pistol Pete), so when he speaks, the basketball program usually listens.

But maybe not this time.

One of Shaq's former teammates will be remembered for more off-the-court situations than anything he did on the court. The player in question is Chris Jackson, or as he's known now Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf.

Abdul-Rauf played at LSU as Chris Jackson during Shaq's tenure in Baton Rouge, and had some incredible seasons. He was so good at LSU, he went #3 overall in the NBA Draft in 1990.

In the NBA, he led the league twice in Free Throw Percentage, and was the 1993 NBA Most Improved Player. He even participated in the 93 Slam Dunk Contest, without having a regular season dunk to his credit.

With all of this, why does he need Shaq's help? Well, first let's look at what Shaq is asking for, here the story from the Louisiana Radio Network:

"Tiger Rag has obtained a letter written by Shaquille O’ Neal that says LSU should retire the jersey of former basketball star Chris Jackson. The letter was written to the LSU Basketball Jersey Retirement Nomination Committee.

Jackson was a two-time SEC Player of the Year and averaged 30 points a game as a freshman, 28 points as a sophomore."

Now, after Jackson converted to Islam and changed his name to Abdul-Rauf, he took a strong stance while playing for the Denver Nuggets, and decided he would no longer stand before games for the US National Anthem. He claimed that the US Flag stood as a symbol of oppression, and that his convictions would allow him to honor it. He was eventually suspended by the NBA, before he and the league came to an agreement in the situation.

His once promising NBA career never rebounded, as he was traded and shipped around the league after the incident. Even having to play overseas before getting a chance to return to the NBA with the Vancouver Grizzlies.

It's been two decades since Abdul-Rauf's US Flag incident and suspension, but many are not ready to forgive and forget. That's where Shaq is coming in.

As one of the strongest voices in the NBA, and basketball as a whole, he is someone that many listen to. He's still one of the most imposing characters around the LSU campus, and I don't recall a time his patriotism has ever been called into question. He won a gold medal for Team USA in the Olympics, and played for multiple national teams.

Shaq has also become a reserve officer and honorary deputy with many law enforcement organizations across the us, including the US Marshalls.

Will this be enough for the school to welcome Abdul-Rauf back into the program? Will the basketball program be strong enough to forgive? All something we'll have to wait on to see what happens.