Jon Abbate

Infobox NFLactive
name=Jon Abbate


currentteam=Free Agent
currentnumber=--
currentpositionplain=Fullback
birthdate=birth date and age|1985|6|18
birthplace=Fort Lauderdale, Florida
heightft=5
heightin=11
weight=245
debutyear=
debutteam=
college=Wake Forest
undraftedyear=2007
pastteams=
* Houston Texans (2007-2008)
status=Active
highlights=
* First-team All ACC (2006)
nfl=ABB051371

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

Early years

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.

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. [http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/wake/sports/m-footbl/archive-pdf/cumulative-stats03.pdf] In 2005, Abbate only had 76 tackles because of injury problems. [http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/wake/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/05stats.pdf]

During the 2006 season, Abbate led the team in tackles with 120 (second in the ACC). He had a late interception in the endzone against rival University of North Carolina. In the ACC Championship in Jacksonville, Florida, Abbate had 15 tackles against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. The Deacons won that game 9-6.

Abbate then played in 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 his final season during which he averaged 8.6 tackles per game.

In February 2006, Abbate's 15-year-old brother, Luke, 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 40 to 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. [ [http://www.fivefoundation.com/ ::Five Foundation:: Luke Abbate Foundation | Jon Abbate ] ]

Professional career

Houston Texans

At the conclusion of the 2006 season, Abbate decided toenter the 2007 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 three-year contract with the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent. [ [http://wakeforestsports.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/042907aag.html Six Deacons Agree To Free Agent Contracts :: Abbate, Andrews, Ghee, Idlette, Morton, Tucker headed to the NFL ] ] The Texans converted him from linebacker to fullback.

Abbate was placed on season-ending injured reserve on September 1 with an ankle injury. He was waived after a failed physical on February 29, 2008. However, we was re-signed shortly after on March 1. He was waived again on July 22.

Abbate was re-signed by the Texans again on August 24, 2008 after wide receiver Harry Williams was placed on injured reserve.

References

External links

* [http://www.houstontexans.com/team/player.asp?player_id=293 Houston Texans bio]
* [http://wakeforestsports.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/abbate_jon00.html Wake Forest Demon Deacons bio]