Illinois State junior linebacker Amir Abdullah leads the Redbirds with three sacks this season. (Photo by GoRedbirds.com)
Editor’s note: Moving the Chains is a weekly feature highlighting players from the four Illinois FCS programs with a mix of football, family and fun questions.
By Barry Bottino
As the strong-side linebacker for Illinois State, Amir Adbullah has made an impact already in his first season with the Redbirds.
A transfer from NCAA Division II Nebraska-Kearney, Abdullah has a team-leading three sacks for a team that is tied for the national lead with 10 sacks.
But, he’s certain that he can still play tight end, a position where he shined in high school in Chicago. He caught four touchdown passes as a junior and showed the ability to make big plays.
In our Moving the Chains feature, Abdullah explains the challenge of growing up with four sisters, the joy of life in the big city, what restaurant Bloomington-Normal needs and the advice he would give young athletes on playing college football.
What made Illinois State an attractive transfer destination?
This is like home for me. I’m from Chicago, the south side. It’s always good to be closer to your family. I like being close to my family, so this was a perfect spot for me to come to.
One of my best friends plays here, Keondre Jackson. He’s a big part of the reason that I’m here.
We started off together at Nebraska-Kearney, a D-II college in Nebraska. He transferred after his freshman year, and I stayed for two years.
We stayed in contact and became best friends. Once I decided to transfer, he sent my film to the (ISU) coaches. They liked what they saw and now I’m here playing with him.
As a defensive player, who do you look up to or model your game after?
I look up to a lot of people. I really love (legendary Pittsburgh Steelers safety) Troy Polamalu. He’s one of the main people. Also, (Hall of Fame) linebacker Ray Lewis. He’s one of the greatest linebackers of all time. I try to model my game after him with his aggression, how he plays, his IQ and his leadership skills.
As a Chicagoan, do you have a favorite sports team?
Yes, I’m a Chicago Bears fan, Bulls fan and White Sox fan.
During your high school career at Whitney Young, you also played tight end. Could you still play there?
I could definitely still play tight end. I loved playing both ways when I was in high school. It was so much fun.
I still have those catching abilities, but now I use them on defense. I think I could still pull it off.
What was your best skill as a tight end?
I was a find a way to get me the ball and I’m going to score (type of player). Make a big play.
Your high school team went through some unique times. Could you describe that?
I transferred to Whitney Young (as a sophomore) and I wasn’t able to play for the first few games. The game that I was able come back for, we lost really bad.
After that game, that was the breaking point. They ended up shutting down the whole football program and firing the coaches.
My junior year, we brought in a completely new staff. We went down a division and we ended up going undefeated. That was pretty cool.
I’ve never had to sit out a full season of football, so that was weird for me. I definitely was not happy about it.
Who’s the best player you’ve ever played with?
His name is Atoa Fox. He played (linebacker) at my old school, Nebraska-Kearney. He’s a really good player and one of my best friends. He’s looking to go to the NFL.
Who’s the best player you’ve played against?
That’s a tough question. The game that I was able to play during my sophomore year (at Whitney Young), we played against Simeon and they had some ballplayers.
What do you miss most about the city of Chicago?
I love the city life. The skyline, the views, everything. The restaurants. Just the aesthetic. And also my family. I love going up to visit my family, surprising them and popping in on them any chance I can.
Tell us about your family and your upbringing.
I grew up on the south side of Chicago. My dad is a fireman. My stepmother teaches and is a counselor and an advisor (in high school). I have four sisters and one brother, and I’m the second-youngest child (age 21).
What were the challenges of growing up with four sisters?
(Laughs) The challenge of having four sisters is you’ve got to deal with a lot of drama. You’ve got to deal with boys. A whole bunch of stuff you don’t want to deal with it.
If you could bring one restaurant from Chicago to Normal, what would it be?
Probably Harold’s Chicken. We definitely need one of those here.
What is a special talent that you have?
I know how to produce beats. I used to do that in high school. I was just doing it for fun.
Do you have any gameday superstitions, like dressing the same way every Saturday?
No. I probably only have two pairs of cleats, so I just switch it up between those two. I’m not a big drip person, so I don’t put on all that extra flashy stuff.
You wore No. 44 at Nebraska-Keaney, so why No. 22 now at Illinois State?
I couldn’t get 44 here, unfortunately. (It is worn by sophomore fullback Brad Gothelf.) So, I just figured I’d split it in half and go with 22. I like 22. It’s a cool looking number.
What do people underestimate about Division II football, where your career started?
Probably the talent. Football is football at the end of the day, no matter where you are. If you’re a dog, you’re going to be seen by people. The only difference is probably the linemen, to be honest.
What advice would you give younger players about playing college football?
Don’t give up. Keep having faith. I don’t know how religious some people may be or may not be. But just always trust in God. Trust the process. No matter what happens, keep grinding through the ups and downs, and the good and the bad.
You never know when your opportunity will present itself. So just keep working.
There have been a lot of great athletes from Whitney Young. Who’s your all-time favorite?
Jahlil Okafor (who played basketball at Duke, in the NBA and is now in Liga ACB, the top pro league in Spain). But he wasn’t in school when I was there.
Barry Bottino is a co-founder of Prairie State Pigskin and a 19-year veteran of three Illinois newspapers. He has covered college athletics since 1995.
Find us on social media!
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PSPigskin
Facebook: Prairie State Pigskin
Prairie State Pigskin 
Leave a comment