Hamza Abdullah
{{Short description|American football player (born 1983)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Hamza Abdullah
| image =
| caption =
| number = 21, 41, 23
| position = Safety
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1983|8|20}}
| birth_place = Los Angeles, California, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 2
| weight_lbs = 216
| high_school = Pomona (Pomona, California)
| college = Washington State
| draftyear = 2005
| draftround = 7
| draftpick = 231
| pastteams =
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers ({{NFL Year|2005}})*
- Denver Broncos ({{NFL Year|2005}}–{{NFL Year|2008}})
- Cleveland Browns ({{NFL Year|2008}})
- Arizona Cardinals ({{NFL Year|2009}}–{{NFL Year|2011}})
| statlabel1 = Total tackles
| statvalue1 = 88
| statlabel2 = Forced fumbles
| statvalue2 = 3
| statlabel3 = Fumble recoveries
| statvalue3 = 1
| statlabel4 = Pass deflections
| statvalue4 = 5
| pfr = AbduHa20
}}
Hamza Muhammad Abdullah (born August 20, 1983) is an American former professional football safety. He was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the seventh round of the 2005 NFL draft. He played college football at Washington State.
Abdullah was also a member of the Denver Broncos, Cleveland Browns, and Arizona Cardinals. He is the older brother of former NFL safety Husain Abdullah.
Early life
Abdullah was raised in Southern California and is one of twelve children in his family. He was raised as a devout Muslim.[https://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/06/sports/football/06fasting.html In the Heat of Camp, the Hunger of Faith] New York Times, September 5, 2010[http://washingtonstate.scout.com/2/840352.html Reflecting on the past, embracing the present] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120301122811/http://washingtonstate.scout.com/2/840352.html |date=March 1, 2012 }} Scout.com, February 20, 2009 He attended Pomona High School{{Cite web |title=Hamza Abdullah |url=http://www.wsucougars.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/abdullah_hamza00.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120722033436/http://www.wsucougars.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/abdullah_hamza00.html |archive-date=July 22, 2012 |access-date=December 3, 2012 |publisher=Washington State Cougars}} and played under John Capraro.
Professional career
=Tampa Bay Buccaneers=
Abdullah was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the seventh round (231st overall) of the 2005 NFL draft.{{Cite web |title=2005 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2005/draft.htm |access-date=May 7, 2023 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}} He was waived at the end of training camp and spent the first two months of the 2005 season on the team's practice squad.
=Denver Broncos=
On November 1, 2005, Abdullah was signed off the Buccaneers' practice squad to the active roster of the Denver Broncos.
Abdullah spent the 2006 and 2007 seasons with the Broncos, playing primarily on special teams and in a reserve role. He started his first career game on November 11, 2007, against the Kansas City Chiefs, logging his first tackle against return specialist Dante Hall.
A restricted free agent in the 2008 offseason, Abdullah signed his one-year tender offer from the Broncos on April 17. He was released by the Broncos on September 23 after the team signed safety Vernon Fox.
=Cleveland Browns=
Abdullah was signed by the Cleveland Browns on October 6, 2008, after the team waived wide receiver Steve Sanders.{{cite web | last=Pokorny | first=Chris | title=Browns Sign Safety Hamza Abdullah | website=Dawgs By Nature | date=2008-10-07 | url=https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2008/10/7/630194/browns-sign-safety-hamza-a | access-date=2024-12-09}} He was waived during final cuts on September 5.
=Arizona Cardinals=
Abdullah was signed by the Arizona Cardinals on December 22, 2009, after linebacker Ali Highsmith was waived.
Personal life
Hamza, together with his brother Husain, chose to take the 2012 NFL season off in order to make a pilgrimage to Mecca.
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20061219232135/http://wsucougars.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/abdullah_hamza00.html Washington State Cougars bio]
{{Buccaneers2005DraftPicks}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Abdullah, Hamza}}
Category:African-American Muslims
Category:Players of American football from Los Angeles
Category:American football safeties
Category:Washington State Cougars football players
Category:Tampa Bay Buccaneers players
Category:Denver Broncos players
Category:Cleveland Browns players