Hamza Abdullah
Hamza Abdullah | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 20, 1983 |
| Occupation | Professional football player (retired) |
| Years active | 2005–2009 |
| Known for | NFL safety for Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Denver Broncos, Cleveland Browns, Arizona Cardinals |
Hamza Muhammad Abdullah (born August 20, 1983) is a retired professional safety who played in the National Football League (NFL). He entered the league when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected him in the seventh round of the 2005 NFL draft. Prior to his professional career, he competed at the collegiate level for the Washington State Cougars.
Throughout his NFL tenure, Abdullah also spent time with the Denver Broncos, Cleveland Browns, and Arizona Cardinals. He is the elder sibling of former NFL safety Husain Abdullah.
Early life
Growing up in Southern California as one of twelve siblings within a deeply religious Muslim household, Abdullah attended Pomona High School, where he played football under the guidance of coach John Capraro.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected Abdullah with the 231st pick in the seventh round of the 2005 NFL draft. After training camp, he was released but remained with the team on their practice squad for the initial two months of the 2005 season.
Denver Broncos
Abdullah was signed to the active roster of the Denver Broncos on November 1, 2005, after being acquired from Tampa Bay’s practice squad.
During the 2006 and 2007 seasons, he primarily contributed on special teams and served as a backup. He made his first career start on November 11, 2007, facing the Kansas City Chiefs, where he recorded his inaugural tackle against return specialist Dante Hall.
As a restricted free agent in 2008, Abdullah agreed to a one-year tender with Denver on April 17 but was released on September 23 following the team's acquisition of safety Vernon Fox.
Cleveland Browns
On October 6, 2008, Abdullah was signed by the Cleveland Browns after they waived wide receiver Steve Sanders. However, he was released during final roster cuts on September 5.
Arizona Cardinals
Abdullah joined the Arizona Cardinals on December 22, 2009, after linebacker Ali Highsmith was waived by the team.
Personal life
In 2012, Hamza and his brother Husain took a hiatus from their NFL careers to perform a pilgrimage to Mecca.