John Abraham (American Football) life and biography

TRANSACTIONS
Originally selected as a first round (13th pick overall) draft choice by the New York Jets in the 2000 NFL Draft, which was acquired in a trade with Tampa Bay. In exchange for WR Keyshawn Johnson, the Jets obtained first round draft choices #13 and #27 (TE Anthony Becht). Abraham was the third linebacker taken overall in 2000 (following Washington’s selection of LaVar Arrington and Chicago’s pick of Brian Urlacher). Traded to the Falcons in exchange for Atlanta’s 2006 first round pick (#29), which was acquired from Denver.

CAREER
Enters the 2010 season ranked tied for seventh in club history (Jeff Merrow) with 36.0 sacks. Set a franchise record with 16.5 sacks in 2008 while finishing third in the NFL in the category. Totaled three-sack performances in Weeks 1, 9 and 15. Named 2008 Associated Press second-team All-Pro. Led the Falcons with 10.0 sacks in 2007, marking the fourth time in his career he has recorded double-digit sack seasons. It was also Atlanta’s first double-digit sack year since 2005. Abraham became the sixth Falcons player in franchise history to finish with a double-digit sack season. Ranks third in the league among active players in sacks from 2000-2009 with 89.5. His 32 career forced fumbles rank fifth in the NFL from 2000-2009. A three-time Pro Bowl selection at defensive end (2001-2002 and 2004). Named NFC Defensive Player of the Week (1) in the season opener against Carolina in 2006, marking the third time he had received Player of the Week honors in his career – AFC Defensive Player of the Week: 2001 (9), 2004 (4). Earned Player of the Month on two occasions in his career – 2001 (November), 2004 (October). Tied a Jets franchise record (Joe Klecko and Mark Gastineau) for the most sacks in a game when he dropped Saints QB Aaron Brooks four times (11/4/01) at the Superdome in a Jets’ win.

2009 (FALCONS)
Recorded 44 tackles (35 solo), 5.5 sacks for a loss of 23 yards, one forced fumble and one pass defensed in 16 games. Collared three tackles, two sacks (seven yards) and one tackle for loss vs. Miami (9/13). Logged three tackles and one sack (six yards) at San Francisco (10/11). Tallied four tackles and a half of a sack (3.5 yards) vs. Chicago (10/18). Registered four tackles and a half of a sack vs. Washington (11/8). Posted three tackles, one tackle for loss and one forced fumble vs. New Orleans (12/13). Logged three tackles and one sack vs. Buffalo (12/27). His sack moved him into a tie for seventh place on the Falcons all-time sack list with Jeff Merrow (36.0).

2008 (FALCONS)
Set a new franchise record and career-high for sacks in a season with 16.5, topping Joel Williams’ old mark of 16.0 (1980). Named an Associated Press second-team All-Pro. Started all 16 contests and finished the season with 42 tackles (35 solo), 16.5 sacks for a loss of 109.5 yards, four forced fumbles, one pass defensed and one blocked punt against Carolina (9/28). Collared five tackles and three sacks (16 yards) vs. Detroit (9/7). His three sacks are the most in single-game for him since 2004 (vs. Buffalo, 3.0). Posted two tackles, two sacks (11 yards) and one forced fumble vs. Kansas City (9/21) in his 100th career game. Logged three sacks (16 yards), one forced fumble and five tackles at Oakland (11/2) for a defense that recorded the first shut-out since 2002 at Carolina (11/24). Totaled his third three-sack game this season (33 yards) vs. Tampa Bay (12/14) while adding three tackles. Posted four tackles and added one sack at Minnesota (12/21). His sack gave him 16.5 on the year, which sets a new single-season record in franchise history.

2007 (FALCONS)
Led the Falcons with 10 sacks while adding 41 tackles (28 solo), four forced fumbles and four passes defensed in 16 starts. Logged a season-high in tackles (six) and tied a season-high in sacks (two) vs. Carolina (9/23). The sacks marked the second time in his career that he posted three sacks in the first three games of a season. Recorded a sack (six yards) for the third consecutive regular season game in Week 4 vs. Houston (9/30) in addition to collaring three tackles and one forced fumble in the 26-16 victory. Posted two tackles and one sack (nine yards) at Tampa Bay (12/16) for a defensive unit that allowed a season-low 109 passing yards. Tallied three tackles, two sacks (11 yards) and one forced fumble vs. Seattle (12/30). His second sack of the game, gave him 10.0 on the season marking the fourth time in his career he has recorded a double digit sack season.

2006 (FALCONS)
Saw action in eight games with seven starts, tallying 20 tackles, four sacks, four forced fumbles and one pass defensed despite being limited by a groin injury throughout the year. Collared six tackles, two sacks, two forced fumbles and one pass defensed in his Falcons debut at Carolina (9/10). Integral part of the defense that held Carolina to 215 total yards of offense. He was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts. Recorded five tackles, one sack and one forced fumble at Tampa Bay (12/10).

2005 (JETS)
Played in 16 games with 15 starts and tallied 67 tackles, 10.5 sacks, two passes defensed and one fumble recovery. Also tied a career-high and ranked tied for third in the NFL with six forced fumbles. Posted a season-high 13 tackles in addition to one sack and a forced fumble vs. Jacksonville (9/25). Recorded four tackles and two sacks, both of which resulted in forced fumbles vs. Oakland (12/11). Abraham recovered one of the fumbles. Moved into fourth place on the Jets’ all-time sack leaders list vs. Buffalo (1/1) after recording two tackles, one forced fumble and one sack. The forced fumble tied a career-high on the season with six.

2004 (JETS)
Earned his third Pro Bowl honor after finishing the season with 48 tackles, 9.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, two passes defensed and one fumble recovery in 12 starts. Garnered AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors for his performance vs. Buffalo (10/10) as he registered six tackles and three sacks. Played in his 50th career game and notched three tackles, one pass defensed and his seventh sack of the season when he dropped QB Tim Rattay vs. San Francisco (10/17). Honored with AFC Defensive Player of the Month honors for his performance in October. Led the League with 6.5 sacks in addition to tallying 16 tackles, two passes defensed, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery during the four-game span that resulted in a 3-1 record for the team.

2003 (JETS)
Tallied 37 tackles, six sacks and one forced fumble in seven games played. Recorded nine tackles, two sacks, one forced fumble and one pass defensed at Washington (9/4). Recorded a season-high 3.5 sacks of QB Donovan McNabb and tied for the team lead with nine tackles at Philadelphia (10/26) before leaving the game with a strained groin in the fourth quarter.

2002 (JETS)
Started all 16 games and recorded a team-high 10 sacks in addition to tallying 82 tackles, two passes defensed and one forced fumble as he earned his second consecutive Pro Bowl nod. Turned in his first two-sack game of the year vs. Miami (11/10) as he dropped Dolphins' QB Ray Lucas twice, forcing a fumble on the second sack. Kept his consecutive game with a sack streak alive, tallying 1.5 sacks on QB Tom Brady, and had six tackles in the 30-17 win at New England (12/22). He reached 10 sacks for the season, making him the first Jets player to record back-to-back double-digit sack seasons since Mark Gastineau in 1983-85. Recorded his first career postseason sack, dropping Colts' QB Peyton Manning for a 13-yard loss in the second quarter of the 41-0 win vs. Indianapolis (1/4/03) in the AFC Wild Card game. Led all Jets' defensive linemen with seven tackles, including a seven-yard sack, and added a pass defensed in the AFC Divisional Playoff Game at Oakland (1/12/03).

2001 (JETS)
Started all 16 games and recorded 82 tackles in addition to team-highs in sacks (13), forced fumbles (six), and fumble recoveries (three). Registered nine tackles, one sack, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery at New England (9/23). Recorded four tackles and one forced fumble at Buffalo (10/7), while scoring his first career touchdown in the first quarter after picking up a fumble caused by LB Mo Lewis and scampering seven yards for the score. Earned AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors at New Orleans (11/4) after tallying a career-high and tying a team record with four sacks. Also added six tackles. Posted a career-high 11 tackles vs. Kansas City (11/11) along with 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble. Named the AFC Defensive Player of the Month for November after totaling 24 tackles, 6.5 sacks and one forced fumble. Abraham's feat was accomplished in just three games (compared to the majority of his competition's four games) as the Jets had their bye weekend on November 25.

2000 (JETS)
Finished rookie season with 12 tackles, 4.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and four special teams tackles in six games played. Recorded first NFL sack vs. New England (9/11) and added four tackles.

COLLEGE
Graduated ranking second on South Carolina’s career-record list with 23.5 sacks after leading the team in sacks all four years while playing for the Gamecocks. Received the Joe Morrison Memorial Award for defense, and was named team MVP and the recipient of the Captain's Cup Award as a senior. Recorded 60 tackles, six sacks, five forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, one pass defensed and blocked a field goal attempt in 10 starts. Also earned All-America Dream Team selection and All-SEC honors in his final season.

PERSONAL
Earned all-state and all-region honors as a defensive end at Lamar (Timmonsville, SC) High School. Excelled in track and won his regional 100 & 200-meter dash titles in high school. John was raised by his mother, Maggie Abraham, and has two daughters, Endraya and Ayumi. Born John Abraham on May 6, 1978 in Timmonsville, South Carolina. He has one daughter, Endrayce.

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