Jon Abbate

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The tone or style of this article or section may not be appropriate for Wikipedia. Specific concerns may be found on the talk page. See Wikipedia's guide to writing better articles for suggestions.(December 2007)

Jon Abbate

Houston Texans — No. 47
Fullback
Date of birth: June 18, 1985 (1985-06-18) (age 22)
Place of birth: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Height: 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)	Weight: 245 lb (111 kg)
National Football League debut
No regular season or postseason appearances
Career history
College: Wake Forest
Undrafted in 2007
Teams: Houston Texans (2007-present)
Current status: Active
Career highlights and awards
First-team All ACC (2006)
Stats at NFL.com

Jon Abbate (born June 18, 1985, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida) is an American football fullback for the Houston Texans of the National Football League. He was originally signed by the Texans as an undrafted free agent in 2007. He played college football at Wake Forest.

Contents 1 High school career 2 College career 3 Professional career 3.1 Houston Texans 4 References 5 External links

[edit] High school career

Abbate grew up in Powder Springs, Georgia, where he attended Carl Harrison High School. His senior season, he was the state of Georgia's leading tackler with 207 total, averaging more than 15 tackles a game. He also had 25 tackles for a loss and 10 sacks that season.

[edit] College career

After redshirting his first year in college, Abbate immediately became a starter in 2004. During that redshirt freshman season, Abbate had 101 tackles, including 13 tackles for a loss.^[1] In 2005, Abbate only had 76 tackles because of injury problems.^[2]

During the 06-07 season, Abbate gave an inspired performance, leading the team in tackles with 120 (second in the ACC). He had several key plays as well, including a late interception in the endzone against rival University of North Carolina. Abbate's best game however, was considered the ACC Championship game in Jacksonville, Florida, in which Abbate had 15 tackles against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. The Deacons won that game 9-6, and Abbate was given much of the credit for only allowing six points for Georgia Tech. After the game Abbate said of the season,"I can't even put it in words. It's been an unbelievable season. Unbelievable to be ACC champs, and I can't explain it."^[3]

Abbate then led the Demon Deacons into the Orange Bowl against the University of Louisville. He had 15 tackles in that game, the first Bowl Championship Series bowl game participation for Wake Forest. Abbate was named an All-American (honorable mention, Sports Illustrated) and first team All-ACC (ACSMA, College Football News) in recognition of his performance throughout this outstanding final college season during which he averaged 8.6 tackles per game.

In February 2006, Abbate suffered a personal tragedy when his 15-year-old brother, Luke Abbate, was killed in a car accident on the way home from lacrosse practice. Before his junior season, Abbate asked head coach Jim Grobe whether he could switch his jersey number from No. 40 to No. 5, the number his brother wore. Grobe agreed, and Abbate wore the number throughout his junior season. During the 2006 season, Abbate and his family would hold up five fingers before the start of the fourth quarter as a tribute to Luke. As the season progressed, Abbate's teammates, Wake Forest fans, and even fans of opposing teams began holding up five fingers as well -- a tradition that would garner much media attention during the Deacons' successful year. Additionally, the Abbate family created the "Five Foundation" to raise awareness among young people of the responsibilities and dangers of driving.^[4]

[edit] Professional career

[edit] Houston Texans

At the conclusion of the 06-07 season, Abbate decided to hire an agent and enter the NFL draft. "Unless someone could promise me if I went back that I'd grow three inches, the decision was pretty easy," Abbate said. "I could have gone back and been productive again, had another 100-plus tackles. But I'd be in the same situation with my height as a knock." Abbate was not drafted but following the draft he signed a 3 year free agent contract with the Houston Texans,^[5] who are converting him to a fullback.

Jon Abbate was released by the Houston Texans on August 31, 2007, but was later picked up by the Texans and placed on their Injured Reserve list on September 1st. He was waived after a failed physical on February 29, 2008. However, we was re-signed shortly after on March 1.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Houston Texans bio
• Wake Forest Demon Deacons bio