Usama Young

Usama Young (born May 8, 1985) is an American football free safety in the NFL for the Cleveland Browns. He played college football at Kent State University.

Early years
Usama was born in the North East section of Washington D.C. to Dr. Khaula Muratdha and Leroi A. Young. Usama is the youngest son of their four boys. Usama Young attended Largo High School in Largo, Maryland and was a letterman in football, baseball, and track. He started to play football at the age of 8. As the youngest, Usama was given the opportunity to learn from his older brothers who pushed him to never cry, complain or make excuses. When Usama was 12 he was playing football in a local pee-wee football game. During the middle of the game a rabid dog ran onto the field and terrorized the young players, coaches and family members who were on the sidelines watching. To everyone's surprise the twelve-year-old Usama was able to tackle the dog, tie the dog up using the chains from the down markers and successfully restore order to the pee-wee football game.

By the time Usama was a freshman in high school he developed a work ethic that would stay with him throughout his football career. As a senior in high school, he was a second team All-State honoree. Young graduated from Largo High School in 2003. He worked as a vendor at FedEx Field during home games of the Washington Redskins while in high school. This was revealed during the SuperAd that he and his father were featured in during Super Bowl XLIII.

Collegiate and Professional Career
Usama was regarded as one of the top defensive prospects to emerge from Kent State in the last three decades, Young arrived in New Orleans with prototype size and speed for his position after being a three-year starter at Kent State. His collegiate career totals include starting 37 of 45 games, with 198 tackles (129 solo), three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, nine interceptions with 21 yards in returns, 21 pass defenses and a blocked kick. He was a semifinalist for the Draddy Trophy in 2006, which recognizes a college player for his combined success in academics, football performance and community leadership.

2006 – A second-team All-Mid American Conference selection with a career-high 60 tackles (39 solo), two interceptions, three forced fumbles, six pass defenses and a blocked punt.

2005 – Started seven games and had 50 tackles (30 solo) - including four behind the line of scrimmage. Added two interceptions and three pass defenses.

2004 – Opened 10 games, missing one contest with a hip strain. Posted 39 stops (28 solo) and had three interceptions for 57 yards in returns.

2003 – Named honorable mention freshman All-American by College Football News after starting nine of 12 games and notching 49 tackles (32 solo), two interceptions, eight pass defenses and a pair of fumble recoveries.

Training methods
Since freshman year of high school, Young trains with an athletic group known as The Stable, working on speed, agility, and endurance.

Community and Civic Engagement
Usama established the Usama Young Youth Foundation shortly after he signed his contract with the New Orleans Saints. The mission of the Usama Young Youth Foundation is to mobilize youth to work to their potential through hands on and interactive programming that aims to strengthen youth from single-parent families, students with learning disabilities and youth in under-served communities through mentoring, advocacy, tutoring and leadership development. Usama's goal is to one day open an After-School Center that will support long-term programming activities in the Washington Metropolitan (Maryland & District of Columbia) and Orleans Parish (Louisiana) areas.