John Abraham (American football)

John Antonio Abraham (born May 6, 1978) is an American football defensive end in the National Football League (NFL) who is currently a free agent. He played college football for the University of South Carolina. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the first round of the 2000 NFL Draft.

Early years
Abraham was born in Timmonsville, South Carolina. In his high school years at Lamar High School in Lamar, South Carolina, he was primarily an athlete in the track program, where he set the current South Carolina record for the 200-meter dash. He played just one season of high school football but was nonetheless recruited to play at the University of South Carolina. While there, he amassed 23.5 sacks, ranking second on South Carolina's career list, and was named an all-SEC first-team player.

New York Jets
Drafted in the first round of the 2000 NFL Draft, he made an immediate impact for the New York Jets; in his rookie season, he recorded 12 tackles and 4.5 sacks in only six games before being injured. In 2001, he recorded 58 tackles and 13 sacks, and was named to the AFC Pro Bowl. In 2002, he recorded 48 tackles, with 10 sacks, and was again named to the Pro Bowl. In 2003, he only recorded 37 tackles and six sacks, due to being injured mid-season.

Abraham tied a franchise record set by Joe Klecko and Mark Gastineau with four sacks in a game on November 4, 2001 against New Orleans Saints.

Abraham was designated Franchise Player by the Jets on February 21, 2006

Atlanta Falcons
Abraham was traded to the Atlanta Falcons in exchange for Atlanta's 2006 NFL Draft first round pick (No. 29), which was acquired from Denver Broncos

In 2008, he had a career high 16.5 sacks through the entire season and ranked 3rd in the league that year. Despite the great numbers he was not elected by voters to play in the 2009 Pro Bowl.

On December 12, 2010, Abraham recorded two sacks against the Carolina Panthers. The two sacks gave him 100.5 for his career, making him only the 25th player in NFL history to eclipse 100. On December 27, on Monday Night Football against the New Orleans Saints, Abraham recorded his first career interception after deflecting and catching a Drew Brees pass attempt.

In December 2010, Abraham was selected to his fourth Pro Bowl.

On June 21, 2012, Abraham signed a 3 year $16.72 million contract to remain in Atlanta

On March 1, 2013, Abraham was released by the Atlanta Falcons and is now a Free Agent.

Falcons franchise records

 * Most career sacks 64.5 (as of October 22, 2012)

Personal
Abraham was raised by his mother, Maggie Abraham. Abraham has a daughter, Endraya. He enjoys watching basketball in his spare time and his favorite team is the Los Angeles Lakers. He cites running back Walter Payton and wide receiver Jerry Rice as his childhood heroes. He attended the Jets' May 5, 2003 blood drive to benefit hospitals throughout Queens, Nassau and Suffolk counties.