Hamza Abdullah facts for kids
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| Position: | Safety | ||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||
| Born: | August 20, 1983 Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
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| Height: | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | ||||||||
| Weight: | 216 lb (98 kg) | ||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||
| High school: | Pomona (Pomona, California) | ||||||||
| College: | Washington State | ||||||||
| NFL Draft: | 2005 / Round: 7 / Pick: 231 | ||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||
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| Player stats at PFR | |||||||||
Hamza Muhammad Abdullah (born August 20, 1983) is a former American professional football player. He played as a safety in the NFL. He was picked by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2005 NFL draft.
Hamza also played for the Denver Broncos, Cleveland Browns, and Arizona Cardinals. His younger brother, Husain Abdullah, was also an NFL safety.
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Growing Up and High School
Hamza Abdullah grew up in Southern California. He is one of twelve children in his family. His family raised him as a dedicated Muslim.
He went to Pomona High School. There, he played football under coach John Capraro.
Playing Pro Football
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Getting Drafted
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers chose Hamza Abdullah in the seventh round of the 2005 NFL draft. He was the 231st player picked overall.
After the team's training camp, he was waived. This means the team let him go. For the first two months of the 2005 season, he was on the Buccaneers' practice squad. A practice squad is a group of players who train with the team but don't play in games.
Denver Broncos: Playing Safety
On November 1, 2005, the Denver Broncos signed Hamza Abdullah. He moved from the Buccaneers' practice squad to the Broncos' main roster.
He played for the Broncos during the 2006 and 2007 seasons. He mostly played on special teams and as a backup player. Special teams are units used for kickoffs, punts, and field goals. A backup player fills in when a starter needs a break.
Hamza started his first NFL game on November 11, 2007. This game was against the Kansas City Chiefs. In that game, he made his first tackle against Dante Hall.
In 2008, he signed a one-year contract with the Broncos. He was released by the team on September 23, 2008.
Cleveland Browns: A New Team
The Cleveland Browns signed Hamza Abdullah on October 6, 2008. He joined the team after they released another player.
He stayed with the Browns for a short time. He was later released by the team on September 5, 2009.
Arizona Cardinals: Later Career
Hamza Abdullah joined the Arizona Cardinals on December 22, 2009. He signed with them after another player was waived. He played for the Cardinals until 2011.
Life Outside Football
Hamza Abdullah and his brother, Husain, decided to take the 2012 NFL season off. They did this to go on a special trip. They made a pilgrimage to Mecca, a holy city for Muslims.
