Abdul Salaam (American football)

For other people named Abdul Salaam, see Abdul Salaam (disambiguation).

Abdul Salaam
No. 74
Position:Defensive tackle
Personal information
Born:(1953-08-12)August 12, 1953
New Brockton, Alabama, U.S.
Died:October 8, 2024(2024-10-08) (aged 71)
Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
Height:6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:262 lb (119 kg)
Career information
High school:Woodward (Cincinnati)
College:Kent State
NFL draft:1976 / round: 7 / pick: 188
Career history
Career NFL statistics
Sacks:21.0
Fumble recoveries:4
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Abdul Salaam (born Larry James Faulk; August 12, 1953 – October 8, 2024) was an American professional football player who played defensive tackle for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL).[1] He was a member of a defensive line known as the "New York Sack Exchange".

Background

Salaam was born Larry James Faulk in New Brockton, Alabama, in 1953. He grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he played baseball and basketball as well as football at Woodward High School.[2] In 1972, he married Debbie Rawls, whom he had known since childhood; they had two sons.[2]

College career

Salaam majored in business at Kent State University, while also playing both nose guard and Linebacker with Kent State's "Carat Gold" defense. He earned first-team All-Mid-American Conference three straight seasons.[3]

Professional career

Still known as Larry Faulk when drafted by the New York Jets in the seventh round (188th overall) of the 1976 NFL draft, he had converted to Islam and later changed his name to Abdul Salaam, which means "soldier of peace," in 1977, because he wanted serenity in his life.[2][4]

The Jets went just 3-11 each of Salaam's first two seasons in the National Football League, however, he was soon joined by Joe Klecko, Mark Gastineau, and Marty Lyons on the Jets' defensive line to form one of the top defensive lines in the NFL, known as the "New York Sack Exchange." The four combined for 66 sacks in 1981 to lead the Jets to their first playoff game since 1969.[5]

In November 1981, Salaam, Gastineau, Klecko, and Lyons were invited to ring the ceremonial opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange that served as the inspiration for their nickname.[6]

The Jets made the playoffs again in 1982, losing the AFC Championship game to the Miami Dolphins. The only game Salaam appeared in for the Jets in 1983 was the final game of the season, a 34–14 loss to the Dolphins in Miami that brought the Jets' record to 7–9. Following the season, he was traded with Kenny Neil to the San Diego Chargers for a 1984 NFL draft second-round pick,[7] but neither player ever made an appearance with his new team. After his NFL career ended, he was a high school football coach.[2]

Death

Salaam died at a Cincinnati hospital on October 8, 2024 at the age of 71.[2] He had been dealing with multiple health issues, including diabetes.[8]

References

  1. ^ "Abdul Salaam". Football-Reference.com.
  2. ^ a b c d e Sandomir, Richard (October 13, 2024). "Abdul Salaam, Quiet Member of the Jets' 'Sack Exchange,' Dies at 71". The New York Times. Retrieved October 13, 2024.
  3. ^ "Glory Days: Celebrating 90 Years of Kent State Football". eInside. September 7, 2009.
  4. ^ Jerry Eskenazi (October 22, 2002). "New York Sack Exchange".
  5. ^ "Abdul Salaam". New York Jets Yearbook. 1983. Archived from the original on February 20, 2009.
  6. ^ Cimini, Rich (September 6, 2008). "Jets defense looking to regain glory days of Sack Exchange". New York: Nydailynews.com. Retrieved August 13, 2010.
  7. ^ Ivan Maisel (February 27, 1984). "A Roundup Of The Week". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on June 3, 2011.
  8. ^ Cimini, Rich (October 9, 2024). "Abdul Salaam, member of Jets' Sack Exchange, dies at 71". ESPN. Retrieved October 9, 2024.

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