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Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Ramadan: Fasting and Introspection the Key to Athletic Performance?

Muslim players in the NFL face a unique challenge during the holy month of Ramadan. The required dawn to dusk fast is something which greatly changes the normal routine of a professional athlete.

But, with the unique nutritional challenge, there are benefits.

The idea is to focus on their blessings and their spiritual awareness, which the athletes say carries over into their play. As with any change, they admit it is hard, like trying to get into shape after weeks of not working out. But eventually the body establishes a new tempo.

Denver Broncos' safety Hamza Abdullah feels that his performance over the years has been best during Ramadan.

“I have had some of my best games during Ramadan,” Abdullah, a 24-year-old safety, said in an interview. “I got my first and only interception while I was fasting.”

Perhaps the highest performing Muslim athlete of recent years was Hakeem Olajuwon.

“When your stomach is full, you get tired and lazy and too relaxed,” said Olajuwon, who retired from the Houston Rockets in 2002. “You get tremendous energy from fasting. Everything is crisp. When your stomach is empty, you get a lot of oxygen and you can breathe.”

Clearly, the benefit to athletes is measurable in both the physiological and psychological terms.

But, how do athletes that don't participate view those that do?

Teammates, he acknowledged, “think it is crazy,” particularly the idea of not drinking water all day. Devout Muslims avoid sex and eating or drinking from dawn until sunset during the month. Actually, they are not supposed to ingest anything, which rules out all manner of activity, including smoking.

Certainly, it is a departure from the normal and accepted notions of athletic nutrition. However, the empirical and anecdotal information seem to indicate that the practice might be something that would benefit all athletes.

Abdullah credits the whole idea of Ramadan with helping push into the background all the distractions from daily life that might interfere with his concentration while playing. “You are focused on the things that matter in your life,” he said. “You are not worried about extracurricular activities with the guys that you usually get caught up in. I don’t hang out at all hours of the night, I don’t listen to music and play video games.”

Abdullah makes clear that the benefits are not simply of the athletic variety. That, perhaps, this may be the answer to the problems many young professional athletes find themselves in due to their new employers not providing them with the means or tools to focus themselves when they are off the field.

One wonders if it is difficult to engage in the fast and the contemplation when surrounded by team mates who are busy eating and engaging in self gratifying behavior.

The hardest parts of the day come during lunch time, he said, when he heads to the locker room to hang out while everyone else is in the cafeteria eating, and between afternoon practice or a game and sunset. To help make the time pass, Abdullah sits in a cool tub in one of the therapy rooms or goes home early to play with his young daughter.

Two things are evident.

One, the fasting and accompanying introspective reflection allows the players to achieve a higher sense of focus and creates a better environment for them to not only be more productive football players; but to be better citizens.

Two, it seems unusual that while players like Abdullah are bettering themselves both physically and mentally, their team mates would be actively unsupportive by eating and playing games and such.

As the benefits of Ramadan become more evident. And as the team mates of those that observe it become more educated and supportive, it seems clear:

Ramadan is destined to become a mandatory undertaking in the NFL. It is the answer to both elevating the on field performance of the players and to alleviating the off field issues facing the young athletes today.

Many fans have complained that the big money the young players make has led them to making poor and selfish decisions off the field.

Following the lead of players like Hamza Abdullah certainly will allow the NFL to go a long way in providing their fans with a league in which they can be proud.

And, as the NFL follows the tenants of Ramadan observance, it wouldn't be far fetched to believe that the fans would want to support their teams by making it a part of their lives as well.

Ramadan.

The righteous way for Roger Goodell to change the NFL for the positive.

56 comments:

censored said...

Ramadan is destined to become a mandatory undertaking in the NFL. It is the answer to both elevating the on field performance of the players and to alleviating the off field issues facing the young athletes today.

Brilliant...now religious observance should be made mandatory....you are a hypocrite...the worst type of person...one who claims they want change but in actuality just wants the opportunity to oppress others and dictate how others live. You do not have a problem with your perceptions of white america, what you have a problem with is that YOU are not the oppressor....the truth is you are a fraud.

Also your constant writings about how it is an employers job to give an employee the social tools to exist outside of the workforce is a joke. How about the parents of these people? why is it that you continue to make excuses for everything? Stop shielding yourself from the truth with these excuses..throw away the crutch and walk like a man.....you sissy.

censored said...

do the muslims give up car-bombing as well during ramadan?

nation_of_islam_sportsblog said...

"now religious observance should be made mandatory"

Sir, who made religious references?

We simply pointed out the obvious athletic and psychological benefits of observing the fast.

YOU brought religion into it.

"....you are a hypocrite...the worst type of person...one who claims they want change but in actuality just wants the opportunity to oppress others and dictate how others live."

Oppress others?

Sir, we simply were making a suggestion. A suggestion to Roger Goodell.

You know him, the guy that now arbitrarily enforces a PERSONAL CONDUCT code which.....governs the lives of others...

"You do not have a problem with your perceptions of white america"

Well, we agree with that.

And we appreciate that you concur that we have no problem with our perception of white america...and that we perceive it correctly.

Thanks for that vote of confidence.

"what you have a problem with is that YOU are not the oppressor"

Again, we agree.

We are not the oppressor.

And we accept your veiled statement as fact.

If we aren't the oppressor. Then you are correct. White america is.


I think we've made progess here.

Seems you are seeing things our way on this.

Dave the Wave said...

fuck your muslim shit.

censored is right. you just wanna dictate what people do.

that's bullshit.

Gern said...

Good luck finding 70 virgins in the NFL.

Malcom Hex said...

"Good luck finding 70 virgins in the NFL."


??????

K said...

Mr. "Censored" is an infidel!

censored said...

We simply pointed out the obvious athletic and psychological benefits of observing the fast.

YOU brought religion into it.

the Fast during ramadan IS A RELIGIOUS observance...you blunt tool! Saying it should be mandatory is pushing your religious agenda on others....precisely what you say you have a problem with others doing.
You can try to twist things any way you want but the fact is that this post shows that you dont have a problem with oppression....the problem you have is that you arent getting a chance to be the oppressor....hypocrite and a phony is what you are...eat that during ramadan and choke on it.
Also you continue to have a problem with Goodell but yet you seem to have no problem with players like Travis Henry...Goodell needs to make sure the NFL doesnt slip into the dark abyss that the NBA has...and so far he is doing a fine job. You complain in one breath that employers dont do enough to manage the conduct of their employees and then complain when the NFL tries to ensure discipline. I think your bow tie is too tight and it is cutting off the oxygen to your brain.

nation_of_islam_sportsblog said...

"the Fast during ramadan IS A RELIGIOUS observance...you blunt tool!"

Sir, and we never said anyone should be forced to worship!!!

Only that they could reap the rewards of the physical benefits and psychological benefits of FASTING.

My goodness.

We may be blunt tools...but clearly, we can't hammer the FACTS into your thick head. Can we?

YOU BROUGHT UP RELIGION.

WE BROUGHT UP FASTING.

We never made mention of a religious component to the eventually mandatory NFL observance of Ramadan.

That's all YOU.

nation_of_islam_sportsblog said...

"no problem with players like Travis Henry"

Sir, see our reporting on the eventual mandatory observance of Ramadan by the NFL...that would help players like Henry find direction.

So, we'll chalk you up as being in favor of Ramadan for the NFL. Since you agree that players like Henry need direction and structure.

Glad to have you aboard.

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

'censored' great job exposing your ignorance. you sound very mad. i almost feel sorry for you. but lets be honest you'll never get it, so there is no point in trying to change your limited perception on life.

but in regards to this story, ma'shalla. these guys fasting while playing in the nfl is amazing. shout out to these young brothers.

censored said...

We never made mention of a religious component to the eventually mandatory NFL observance of Ramadan.

you may be one of the dimmest people alive....how is there no religious aspect to "the mandatory observance of Ramadan" I know you try to twist things to put a racial slant on everything but this shows that you are flat out dumb. Many religions observe holidays that require fasting but you dont make mention of them...that was not your point...your point was about Ramadan and in truth having a father that sticks around would help these guys maintain focus alot better than skipping a few meals.

Five Pound Bag said...

This would explain why all the Jewish NFL players have their best games on Yom Kippur.

censored said...

Sir, see our reporting on the eventual mandatory observance of Ramadan by the NFL...that would help players like Henry find direction.

So, we'll chalk you up as being in favor of Ramadan for the NFL. Since you agree that players like Henry need direction and structure.

So according to you...since your post has no religious aspect only one of fasting...simply not eating would cause people to remain on track....what a well thought out argument...so how does this bode for your argument for Elijah Dukes father...who you said had to commit crimes such as selling drugs because he was hungry? I mean surely that "fasting" should not have caused him to commit crimes...glad you finally see the light. Soon you will twist so much that all of your excuses will come crumbling down.

Steven A's Cheese Doodles said...

"you may be one of the dimmest people alive....how is there no religious aspect to "the mandatory observance of Ramadan"

what are you talking about? never once did nois say anyone should be forced to WORSHIP...he just brought up the positive effects of fasting..

what's dense is that you can't separate the secular act of fasting from all this..

that is the dumbest part.

every post you make exposes your complete ignorance.

lost said...

physiological and psychological

Classic.

It looks like not much has changed since the last time I read this blog.

NOISb still provides wit.

certain others still provide half- as much.

nation_of_islam_sportsblog said...

"Many religions observe holidays that require fasting but you dont make mention of them"

Sir, well, when we come across an article that is written discussing the fasting and it's effect on athletics, we'll be sure to!

However, the article we sited gave Ramadan as the example.

And it seemed fitting.

Why is it that always demand that we address religions, races or cultural aspects of things that reflect YOUR view on the world in posts that we make?

You seem to get frustrated when we only present one side of things, don't you?

Hmmmm....I can't imagine minorities would feel similar frustration when they read the mainstream media, would they?

As you tell us all the time: quit bitching, it's just the way it is.

:)

nation_of_islam_sportsblog said...

"simply not eating would cause people to remain on track"

Sir, now you are just being dense on purpose.

Aren't you?

Introspective reflection.

You forgot that component.

Really, listen.

You don't get this concept. You just don't.

You are caught up in the idea that we are suggesting that EVERYONE must observe Ramadan.

Let it go.

We are just saying that everyone should partake in the BENEFITS of Ramadan.

See the difference?

ZEKE said...

"This would explain why all the Jewish NFL players have their best games on Yom Kippur."


yes HE does....

The Lawn Jockey said...

"We are just saying that everyone should partake in the BENEFITS of Ramadan."


nice, you are making censored's head explode!

you are on a different plane.

Mr Telefone Man said...

"selling drugs because he was hungry? I mean surely that "fasting" should not have caused him to commit crimes"

wow. do you know the difference between "starving" and "fasting"?

i guess not....

censored said...

You are caught up in the idea that we are suggesting that EVERYONE must observe Ramadan.

Let it go.

Oh i got confused when you said that the NFL should make the observance of Ramadan mandatory...i guess mandatory doesnt mean everyone..sorry...so your community must already have it as mandatory that fathers raise their kids.
And if fasting and introspection were the key to athletic performance wouldnt the guy who observes the holiday be more than a mediocre player?
what about all the muslim terrorists? is fasting the key to excelling there too?

censored said...

"This would explain why all the Jewish NFL players have their best games on Yom Kippur."


yes HE does....

jews just use their superior intellect to know that preserving your brain and being the one to sign the checks will get you alot further than running your head into a wall every sunday. On second thought maybe arthur blank wouldnt be out 20 mil if Mike Vick fasted.

nation_of_islam_sportsblog said...

"Oh i got confused when you said that the NFL should make the observance of Ramadan mandatory...i guess mandatory doesnt mean everyone..sorry"

Sir, your confusion continues unabated.

Yes, mandatory is everyone.

But we said the "tenants" of Ramadan observation...a clear reference to fasting and introspective reflection.

This is an exercise in futility.

Your racism and bias precludes you from even grasping the simplest of reading comprehensions.

Let go of the hate.

Try fasting.

And introspective reflection.

You definately need to find something. Your cluttered mind needs it.

freedom rings softly said...

"And if fasting and introspection were the key to athletic performance wouldnt the guy who observes the holiday be more than a mediocre player? '


maybe without fasting he never would have made the league??

huh? huh!

Al_Sharpton's_Banana_Hammock said...

"jews just use their superior intellect to know that preserving your brain and being the one to sign the checks will get you alot further than running your head into a wall every sunday."

should have known you were bigoted against Jews, too. Big surprise.

Jeff Reed's blowdryer said...

they should make them grow long beards too...and wear turbans instead of helmets.

Adam J said...

It is indeed tragic to see a young man like Brother "Censored" so ingrained in the tyranny of opposition that he blinds himself to truth and righteousness because the agents of hate have so instructed him.

In what is a most serendipitous turn of events, Brother "Censored," you may rejoice that this very post you hate and rage against is the very key to setting yourself free.

And it just starts with a fast, my Brother.

censored said...

But we said the "tenants" of Ramadan observation...a clear reference to fasting and introspective reflection.

Uh...that is not what you wrote...but seeing is how you cant comprehend anything I shouldnt be surprised that you cant even follow what you wrote. Fact is that the tenants of Goodell will do much more to keep players in line than the observance of ramadan ever could. So as the star players thank jesus we can leave allah to the scrubs and backups.

censored said...

It is indeed tragic to see a young man like Brother "Censored" so ingrained in the tyranny of opposition that he blinds himself to truth and righteousness because the agents of hate have so instructed him.

In what is a most serendipitous turn of events, Brother "Censored," you may rejoice that this very post you hate and rage against is the very key to setting yourself free.

I see your english to jesse jackson dictionary arrived in the mail.

censored said...

"jews just use their superior intellect to know that preserving your brain and being the one to sign the checks will get you alot further than running your head into a wall every sunday."

should have known you were bigoted against Jews, too. Big surprise.

I would have thought reading comprehension would be part of the GED exam...apparently not. This blog is not the blind leading the blind..it is the dumb leading the dumber.

censored said...

they should make them grow long beards too...and wear turbans instead of helmets.

to clarify most who wear turbans are not muslim...they are actually persecuted by muslims. The muslim religion is the preferred religion of terrorists and persecutors...it is just in this country that they try to polish it up with a nice little bow tie.

nation_of_islam_sportsblog said...

"But we said the "tenants" of Ramadan observation...a clear reference to fasting and introspective reflection.

Uh...that is not what you wrote..."

It's not what we wrote?

as the NFL follows the tenants of Ramadan observance

really? it sure looks like what we wrote.

Just stop.

You can't read.

You can't think.

You are a racist and a bigot.

Seriously, you are the total package.

Al_Sharpton's_Banana_Hammock said...

"I would have thought reading comprehension would be part of the GED exam...apparently not. This blog is not the blind leading the blind..it is the dumb leading the dumber."

and how does that change your bigotted portrayal of Jews?

ultrasound tech said...

"Uh...that is not what you wrote..."

It's not what we wrote?

as the NFL follows the tenants of Ramadan observance

really? it sure looks like what we wrote."


NOIS, it is EXACTLY what you wrote.

censored is so biased against you he doesn't even bother to read what you or anyone else here writes. He simply takes an opposing and argumentatie view without any knowledge of what you are saying.

If he read your post for what it says, he wouldn't even be arguing about religion.

But, like you said, racism and bigotry are the 'logic' behind his thoughts.

The man is simply a complete fool.

Avonte Mixon said...

i think it's a great idea!

get all the players on the same page. supporting each other on and off the field. this is an idea who's time has come. forget naysayers like the moron on this comment thread that can't separate the positive aspects and concepts of a religion with the worship of the religion...guys like that are the reason this country is falling apart. we need things like observing fasts and reflecting on things together to bring unity to this country. don't let people like censored bring this country down with their ignorance, hatred and hipocracy. this country is way more important than preserving the points of view and values of racist bigots like him.

Malcom Hex said...

"The muslim religion is the preferred religion of terrorists and persecutors.."


really?

here, i thought it was christian conservatives that was the preferred religion of terrorists (killing doctors that perform abortions) and forcing their religious beliefs on society by trying to control politicians and legistlators....

Avonte Mixon said...

"here, i thought it was christian conservatives that was the preferred religion of terrorists (killing doctors that perform abortions) and forcing their religious beliefs on society by trying to control politicians and legistlators...."


like i said, censored is a hypocrit.

it's ok to persecute and be a terrorist if he believes in the religion doing it.

but, i do believe he is in favor of abortions.

his thoughts are intellectual abortions.

lgf said...

"really?

here, i thought it was christian conservatives that was the preferred religion of terrorists (killing doctors that perform abortions) and forcing their religious beliefs on society by trying to control politicians and legistlators....



Sir, a shameful, massively inaccurate, and rather idiotic generalization. The same method of generalization that the black community has perpetually suffered from.

You sound like a backwoods, redneck, racist-- in other words, a moron.

Malcolm Hex? (i suppose that is to be some deranged derivative of Mr. Malcolm X. ) Please refrain from desecrating the legacy of such a prominent figure with your Neanderthal logic.

lgf said...

"You can try to twist things any way you want but the fact is that this post shows that you dont have a problem with oppression....the problem you have is that you arent getting a chance to be the oppressor....hypocrite and a phony"

censored,

well, if that was the case, that would mean NOIS isn't a hypocrite. Saying he is against oppression, and then going on to oppress would make him a hypocrite.

whattheF said...

The top athletes in the world are not muslim but christian..so clearly following the tenants of ramadan is not the key to athletic performance. I see how you take a minor example and try to have it apply as a whole but that is as irresponsible as those you rant against. The african american community in this country is in such a shambles that simply arguing that "fasting and introspection" is a solution is short sighted. The only solutions come from positive actions.

lgf said...

"should have known you were bigoted against Jews, too. Big surprise."


Bigoted against Jews?

And Martin Luther King was the biggest racist alive.

idiot.

Malcom Hex said...

"Sir, a shameful, massively inaccurate, and rather idiotic generalization. The same method of generalization that the black community has perpetually suffered from. "


no kidding. you are about as bright as censored, aren't you?

nation_of_islam_sportsblog said...

"The only solutions come from positive actions"

Sir, exactly.

And you bolster the argument for the observanc of Ramadan as a step in the right direction.

Thank you for your support.

Malcom Hex said...

"Bigoted against Jews?

And Martin Luther King was the biggest racist alive.

idiot."

What are you even talking about?

Christ, everytime you show up on the same thread as censored, the collective IQ drops.

NOIS, check their IPs and see if these guys are the same person.

Foxxy Brown said...

"jews just use their superior intellect to know that preserving your brain and being the one to sign the checks will get you alot further than running your head into a wall every sunday."

i guess this means that Trent Green and Gus Frerotte are not Jewy.

Pragmatic Liberal said...

"i guess this means that Trent Green and Gus Frerotte are not Jewy."



I guess there are some undesirable sheep in every family.

censored said...

"jews just use their superior intellect to know that preserving your brain and being the one to sign the checks will get you alot further than running your head into a wall every sunday."

i guess this means that Trent Green and Gus Frerotte are not Jewy.

Hey dopey, those two players are not jewish...but of course you just needed to use the word "jewy"...again you are against bias only when it is bias against you..hypocrite fool. Are you a "blackie"? of course.

censored said...

"Bigoted against Jews?

And Martin Luther King was the biggest racist alive.

idiot."

What are you even talking about?

Christ, everytime you show up on the same thread as censored, the collective IQ drops.

Hey malcolm hex...you are truly dense...plymouth rock musta landed on your head more than once.

censored said...

And you bolster the argument for the observanc of Ramadan as a step in the right direction.


You should argue for the observance of christianity or judaism instead...you know belief systems that have actually produced people who have contributed something to society in the last 5oo years.

Malcom Hex said...

"Hey malcolm hex...you are truly dense...plymouth rock musta landed on your head more than once."

don't you have a cross to burn?

and, don't you realize, that you calling anyone ignorant is of no value?

NOIS has spanked your ass in every thread you have ever posted on!

one would think you'd at least have the sense to crawl away with your pointy head tucked between your legs.

what kind of moron comes back again and again to repeatedly get taken to task by a blog that he doesn't like??????

Mack Power said...

"You should argue for the observance of christianity or judaism instead"

how is censored calling anyone dense?

all that nois argued for was the observance of fasting and reflection.....many jews and christians already do that....

censored, you really make bad arguments, man...and nois is right...you don't bother arguing what he has written...you argue what you wish he had written...which isn't the same...and you end up looking like a total fool time and again...

Henry the 8th said...

too funny...ol' censored gets got every damn'd time...

Gern said...

Sir, tenets.

nation_of_islam_sportsblog said...

"Sir, tenets."


Sir, we thank you for your correction and we have alerted our data entry personnel as to their error.

Many thanks.