Hall of Fame
- Induction:
- 1987
- Class:
- 1980
KSU CAREER: Twice selected to the All-MAC first team as a defensive lineman (1973 & 1974)…His 1974 selection was unanimous…Named “Mr. Defense” in the MAC following his junior season…Captained the Kent squad his senior year and was named the team’s “Most Inspirational Player” in 1975…Selected as the outstanding defensive lineman in the 1975 Ohio Shrine Game where he participated in more that 20 tackles…Earned four varsity letters in the gridiron at Kent…Named to the Associated Press’s honorable mention All-America team as a junior…HIGH SCHOOL CAREER: a 1972 graduate of Cincinnati’s Woodward High School…Lettered in football, wrestling, and track as a prep…POST KSU CAREER: Drafted in the 7th round of the NFL Draft by the New York Jets in 1976…Changed his name to Abdul Salaam, which mean “Soldier of Peace,” in 1977…Starred as a defensive lineman for the Jets playing both tackle and nose guard…Started 85 of 97 games with the Jets…Selected as an alternate to the Pro-Bowl in 1981…PERSONAL: Born February 12, 1953 in New Brockton, Alabama…Majored in business at Kent State…He and wife, Debbie, have two sons; Larry and Omar.
