Victor Abiamiri

Victor Abiamiri
Born	(1986-01-14) January 14, 1986 Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
Occupation	Former professional American football defensive end
Years active	2007–2011
Known for	Playing for the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFL

Victor Ikechukwu Abiamiri (born January 14, 1986) is a former professional football defensive end who spent his NFL career with the Philadelphia Eagles. He played collegiate football at Notre Dame and was chosen by the Eagles in the second round of the 2007 NFL draft. Abiamiri is of Nigerian heritage.

Early life

Raised in Randallstown, Maryland, Abiamiri attended Gilman School, where he distinguished himself as a defensive lineman by earning First-team USA Today All-American recognition. In 2002, he led his squad with 52 tackles, including 17 for loss, 12 sacks, three forced fumbles, and one interception, contributing to the Greyhounds’ undefeated 10-0 season, a #15 national ranking from USA Today, and capturing the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association A Conference championship. ESPN ranked him among their top 100 players nationally, while The Sporting News placed him first on their Hot 100 list. He was honored as Defensive Player of the Year on the Baltimore Sun's All-Baltimore City/County team and earned All-Metro accolades as a junior after recording 16 sacks. Throughout his high school tenure, Abiamiri amassed 45 sacks and 63 tackles for loss. His two elder brothers also played collegiate football at the University of Maryland: Rob Abiamiri, who briefly joined the Baltimore Ravens practice squad, and Paschal Abiamiri.

College career

At the University of Notre Dame, Abiamiri started in 30 out of 49 games during his college football career. He compiled 128 tackles (84 solo), 20.5 sacks, 40 tackles behind the line of scrimmage, 21 quarterback pressures, three forced fumbles, and two passes deflected.

During his freshman year, he started five games out of twelve and recorded 22 tackles along with one sack, earning honorable mention Freshman All-American honors from Rivals.com. As a sophomore, he participated in every game and totaled 15 tackles with two sacks.

In his junior season (2005), Abiamiri was a full-time starter at defensive end for all twelve games. He received Notre Dame's Lineman of the Year award from the Moose Krause Chapter of the National Football Foundation and served on the team’s leadership committee. That year he posted 48 tackles, including 15 for loss, eight sacks, and forced one fumble.

As a senior, he tallied 43 tackles (with 15 for loss) and achieved a personal best of 10.5 sacks. His performance earned him honorable mention All-American honors as well as recognition as All-Major Independent Defensive Player of the Year by The NFL Draft Report. Additionally, he was named Notre Dame's Lineman of the Year for the second time.

Professional career

Selected by the Philadelphia Eagles with the 57th overall pick in the second round of the 2007 NFL draft, Abiamiri signed a four-year deal on July 22, 2007. In his rookie campaign, he appeared in six games with one start and recorded five tackles.

In the 2009 season, Abiamiri secured the starting role at left defensive end over Juqua Parker. On October 18 against the Oakland Raiders, he sustained a hyperextended knee injury that sidelined him for three games before returning on November 15 against the San Diego Chargers. Following microfracture surgery on his left knee in February 2010, he was placed on the Active/Physically Unable to Perform list at training camp's onset and later moved to reserve/PUP status on August 31.

During training camp on August 2, 2011, Abiamiri suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon and was subsequently placed on injured reserve two days later.

External links

• Profile at Notre Dame Fighting Irish