Kansas City Chiefs safety Husain Abdullah has retired due to five concussions.
The Chiefs got three very good seasons out of Husain Abdullah, a man who came to Kansas City after being out of the National Football League for a year due to his religious visit to Mecca. Abdullah has now decided to retire after playing seven seasons in the NFL with both the Minnesota Vikings and Chiefs, leaving the game before the game could get him.
On his Instagram account, Abdullah typed out the following:
"After 7 years in the NFL, I am retiring. I would like to thank the Minnesota Vikings for giving me an opportunity to make the team after going undrafted in 2008. I experienced a great deal of growth both as a football player and as a person during my 4 years in Minnesota. Thank you.The Kansas City Chiefs will forever have a special place in my heart. After sitting out of football to fulfill my Hajj Pilgrimage in 2012, The Chiefs were the first to call. The three years I spent playing for KC may have been the most enjoyable football experience in my entire life. Thank you.There are numerous deciding factors in my decision, with personal health being foremost. Sitting for five weeks last year after suffering the fifth concussion of my career, I had a lot to contemplate. My goals moving forward are to be of benefit to my family, my community, my country and hopefully the world. Having a sound mind will be vital in accomplishing these goals. Thank you to everyone I’ve crossed paths with during my time as a player. You’ve had an impact on my life for the better. Thanks for the love and support. It’s greatly appreciated."
While it would have been great to get Abdullah back this season because he can play at both strong and free safety, I’m glad to see him retiring. Abdullah has a long life ahead of him and we all want him to enjoy it.
Abdullah was incredibly underrated throughout most of this career. He was able to play in the box, along with man and zone coverage. Abdullah was a glue guy and somebody who gave the defense a ton of versatility.
The retirement leaves the Chiefs with a very clear picture at their safety position. Eric Berry and Ron Parker will remain the starters, with Daniel Sorensen looking like the third option. Defensive coordinator Bob Sutton loves those three-safety looks, so Sorensen will be getting ample playing time. The youngster out of BYU looked good last year, so that’s not a terrible thing.
It would be shocking if the Chiefs don’t take a safety or two in the draft, however. Depth is thin behind the top three guys, and with Parker sometimes playing in the slot, things could get dicey.