John Abraham was born May 6, 1978 in Timmonsville, SC.  He only played one year of football as a senior in high school at Lamar High School (same school as Class of 2017 Inductee Levon Kirkland).  He is the current 200-meter and 100-meter dash South Carolina record holder in track, and he also competed in shot put and discus while attending Lamar before turning his attention to football.  His football talent during his senior year earned Abraham a scholarship to the University of South Carolina.  While in Columbia, he recorded 23.5 sacks ranking second on the Gamecock’s all-time list. 

He was named a first-team All-Southeastern Conference selection as a junior.  After his junior season, he declared for the 2000 NFL Draft in which he was picked 13^th overall in the first round by the New York Jets.  After six successful seasons (2000-2005), and three pro bowl seasons, he was traded to the Atlanta Falcons, where he played for seven seasons (2006-2012).  He finished his career with a two season (2013-2014) stint with the Arizona Cardinals including a pro bowl appearance in 2013.

  In his career, Abraham totaled 133.5 sacks and 48 forced fumbles, earning five Pro Bowl nominations and four All-Pro teams (3 first-team) during a 15-year career.  His productivity on the field was evident as he is currently ranked third in the Jet’s and second in Atlanta’s career sacks record books.

Video created by Prominence Media.  Source: New York Jets, Atlanta Falcons, and the University of South Carolina.