Jon Abbate Information & Jon Abbate Links at HealthHaven.com

**Jon Abbate**
	No. 45 California Redwoods
	Fullback
Personal information
	Date of birth: June 18, 1985 (age 24)
	Place of birth: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Height: 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)	Weight: 245 lb (111 kg)
Career information
	College: Wake Forest
	Undrafted in 2007
	No regular season or postseason appearances
Career history
	As player:; Houston Texans (2007–2008); Montreal Alouettes (2009); California Redwoods (2009–present); Offseason and/or practice squad member only
	Roster status: Active
Career highlights and awards
	First-team All ACC (2006); ;
Stats at NFL.com
Stats at CFL.ca

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

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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.^[1] In 2005, Abbate only had 76 tackles because of injury problems.^[2]

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.

[edit] The 2006 season

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.^[3] A movie about Jon Abbate, his brother Luke, and Wake Forest's 2006 football season, entitled The 5th Quarter, is currently in post-production and expected to be released in 2009^[4].

[edit] Professional career

[edit] Houston Texans

At the conclusion of the 2006 season, Abbate decided to enter 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.^[5] 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, he 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.

[edit] Montreal Alouettes

Abbate signed a deal for one year plus an option with the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League on March 10, 2009, and was asked to be released during training camp on June 8 to join the UFL tp\2009.^[6]

[edit] References

^ http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/wake/sports/m-footbl/archive-pdf/cumulative-stats03.pdf
^ http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/wake/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/05stats.pdf
^ ::Five Foundation:: Luke Abbate Foundation | Jon Abbate
^ [1]
^ Six Deacons Agree To Free Agent Contracts :: Abbate, Andrews, Ghee, Idlette, Morton, Tucker headed to the NFL
^ "Training Camp — Day 2". Montreal Alouettes Football Club. 2009-06-08. http://en.montrealalouettes.com/article/training-camp-day-2_48977. Retrieved 2009-06-08.

[edit] External links

[[Category:Players of American football from Florida]

[0] ttp://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/wake/sports/m-footbl/archive-pdf/cumulative-stats03.pdf

[1] ttp://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/wake/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/05stats.pdf

[2] ::Five Foundation:: Luke Abbate Foundation | Jon Abbate

[3] [1]

[4] Six Deacons Agree To Free Agent Contracts :: Abbate, Andrews, Ghee, Idlette, Morton, Tucker headed to the NFL

[5] "Training Camp — Day 2". Montreal Alouettes Football Club. 2009-06-08. http://en.montrealalouettes.com/article/training-camp-day-2_48977. Retrieved 2009-06-08.

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