By Brian Brown
Rock Center
Put simply, this is just another striving, improbable, poetic American Dream story: How a family, venerating work and education, traveled from the notorious South Central LA of “Boyz In The Hood” to settle in Spielberg Americana in the shadow of the soaring San Bernardino Mountains—a family with not one but two brothers recruited to play Division I football at Washington State University, followed even more notably by NFL careers.
But this story has taken many more remarkable turns. Tonight on Rock Center with Brian Williams (10p ET), in a remarkable journey from Southern California to Saudi Arabia, correspondent Mary Carillo tells the story of Husain and Hamza Abdullah, who, at their athletic peak … associated with America’s most glamorous, most popular sport … walked away, for the glory of God.
“We’ve been playing football since we were 8 years old,” Husain Abdullah told Carillo, “from Pop Warner to high school, and to college, and into the NFL. And although we're knocking down all these barriers, doing things that people said you can't do, all of a sudden, it was like there's more to life than this. There's more. And we had to go for it.”
Their motivation arrived over a lifetime, and all at once. This past spring, Husain and Hamza felt an urgent need to more fully address the pillars of their Islamic faith, including the most difficult test of all, the Hajj, the pilgrimage to Mecca, an annual concentration of humanity unequaled on the planet.
In so doing, 27-year-old Husain (who had become a starter with the Minnesota Vikings), and 29-year-old Hamza (an established seven-year veteran last with the Arizona Cardinals) would sacrifice annual paychecks in the range of a million dollars. Instead, cognizant of their platforms as NFL players, they decided not only to seek greater spiritual fulfillment, but also to nurture a greater tolerance of their Islamic faith by spreading a greater understanding of its truths.
“In Islam,” Hamza Abdullah said, “the first word revealed was ikra, which means read or recite. So it's incumbent on all Muslims to gain knowledge. And, you know, if someone comes and asks me a question, ‘Hamsa, what's the five pillars of faith in Islam,’ I should be able to tell you: Shahada, the declaration of faith: Salat, the five prayers a day; Zakat, giving alms to the poor; Ramadan, fasting during the month of Ramadan; and then finally the Hajj, the pilgrimage to Mecca.”
Like many American Muslims, the Abdullah brothers have been falsely associated with versions of Islamic extremism they don’t recognize.
On Sept. 11, 2001, Hamza was a sophomore at Washington State, where he was an electrifying presence on the team’s defense. He received a call at 6 a.m. from a teammate telling him to turn on the TV and watch the breaking news about the attack on the World Trade Center towers. Not long after that day, both brothers would find themselves equated with the 9-11 hijackers—men with a distorted view of Islam and a deep hatred of America … men with whom the brothers had nothing in common.
WATCH VIDEO: Two Muslim brothers, one all-American success story
“I think 9/11 was an educational opportunity,” Hamza says. “It sounds crazy to say that. But it opened eyes for a lot of people, including myself. And people would ask me about Islam. They’d ask: ‘Can you guys kill people?’ And I would ask them: ‘In what book does it say that you can go and do acts of terrorism?’ The Quran doesn’t say that. Islam is a religion of peace.”
This past year, accustomed to thorough preparation and high performance, the brothers have been machine-like in their faithfulness. Along with their older brother Abbas, they spent the holy month of Ramadan on a multistate, cross-country tour: reaching 30 mosques in 30 days, but also stopping at food kitchens and holding teaching sessions with youth groups.
The climax of this year surrendered to the glory of God was the pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudia Arabia, known as the Hajj. There, the brothers joined a multitude of millions.
“The first thing we noticed in Mecca was how much the other Muslims we met love Americans," said Hamsa. "They absolutely adore us. When you say, ‘America,’ they love you. And you really felt proud, like a sense of: ‘That’s my nation. That's my country.’ And, you know, a lot of the times that kind of gets lost in translation: that Islam is our religion, yes. But our country is the United States of America.”
WATCH VIDEO: NFL players take leave, make journey to Mecca
Will Hamza and Husain Abdullah, with the quiet force of their personalities and the depth of their integrity, be welcomed back into the NFL?
“We’d love to have Husain back,” said Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier. “A lot of things have to fall in place. But the door is not closed.”
“Time and time again, Hamza’s going to be the guy that’s going to encourage you,” said Cardinals veteran All-Pro safety Adrian Wilson. “He’s always said that football isn’t about him. It’s about playing for your brother. It’s about playing for the guy that’s beside you.”
Hamza offered these thoughts after his return from Mecca:
“You know, we're playing football, America's number one game. We went on a road trip. What's more American than a road trip?”
But this was hardly any ordinary road trip, as the Rock Center team would learn in this story about a remarkable leap of faith.
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They will probably come back and blow up NFL stadiums!!!!!
yeh ...maybe you will be there too...what an idiot
c'mon.. that was a little funny
If these guys think that ISLAM is a religion of peace , they must not have read their own book which is known as KORAN. This is a religion of DEATH and DESTRUCTION in the name of ALLAH. This religion ends when you die and it also dies with you. You can put any spin on it you want to, but they all missed the boat. Majority of Muslims don't believe in KORAN either, that is the reason they all could convert to CHRISTIANITY quite quickly without missing a beat. We will not impale them or use the sword, but we expect them to accept Christianity of their own free will. Time is coming and it is just around the corner, so my Muslim brothers don't say you were not warned. The signs are everywhere. It is time to REPENT and time of REDEMPTION.
You're a nut-job. Go read your bible.
You know, I'm sure you must have tried to come off as offensive, but you just really come off as ignorant and uneducated. You're the epitome of the common misconception. Just a tad bit stronger, though.
I have been in the U.S. for 33 years and have witnessed hundreds of non-muslims converting to Islam (20,000 convert to Islam annually in the U.S.) but I have only seen one Muslim leaving Islam and according to him he left Islam because the new religion is easy and he doesn't have to do anything which is the answer of a lazy person........
I can't believe in the 21st century that people still believe in an invisible man in the sky and that they can't even decide which invisible man to believe in. The majority of the population of the world are still in the same league as sheep. Blinding following the one in front them.
I'd give up on the Flying Spaghetti Monster (pasta be upon him) but the meatballs!
The rich, succulent meatballs!
These guys are deceived and when they go to a muslim country and really see how women are treated and are told that their unholy quran teaches this i wonder how well they will accept their new found faith.so many in this country who western muslim don't even realize that in order to truly understand islam one must be versed well in speaking and understanding arabic.why do muslim women in america and other democracy countries seem to be much better off than their counter part who are in muslim countries.it's because of that very democracy that those islamist terroist hate so much,because it allow not just men,but women also to think for themselves.why would anyone want to be a muslim is beyond reasoning.all islam do is put it's followers in bondage,and just look at those poor souls who want to leave islam.these poor people are simply given a death sentence.on the clip,the ex-football player said "that he notice the big spread that the muslim men was preparing to feast on,yet the women only had pizza."Now he asked himself this question,just wait until he gets to mecca.And just look at who's doing the killing and causing so much chaos in this world and you will have you answer concerning islam,and is it a peaceful religion.and by the way,ask those dear christians who have to live daily under those muslim clergymen.those people are catching pure hell from those in this so called peaceful religion. you must know your enemy,and islam and many of it's followers are not for america or democracy.look at those 19 islamist devils that brought havoc to our shores on 911,all muslims,not one christian in the bunch.
Women in Malaysia tend to be treated far more equally than are women in the US. Women in Iran are usually far better educated than women in America. India is a democracy and women receive horrendous treatment. Pakistan elected a female Prime Minister (yes women are still treated horrendously, but it shows that democracy is not the determining factor here).
I suppose that you are advocating that the rape which occurs all too regularly in the US country is better than the condition of women in Muslim countries. The statistics regarding sexual abuse to women in America's inner cities are appalling and only getting worse as the economic gap widens and more families are left behind. None of this is to exonerate Muslims in Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, etc. from horrendous treatment of women, it is only to say that women are being mistreated in many ways in many places. And we should clean up our own house before we start pointing fingers.
Why can't we all just get along? If everyone tried giving more and asking for less the world could change. The problem is GREED, in America our children are educated from an early age to demand more for doing less. American education is on a downhill slide and the government could not be happier. Since the 1960's American education has been working to dumb down America. Kent State taught the government to use education instead of guns on their citizens, and it is working wonderfully for them. Religion should be a "Way of Living", never a "way of making a living". If anyone asks you for money in the name of GOD, run for your life. The more you give the more they want, it never ends. Peace, Love, & Happiness to all.............
Good Riddance! Let them stay over there and maybe they can see what islam is all about. In the middle east it's murder in the name of religion, in America islam is all about hating white people. The NFL doesn't need them spreading poison in locker rooms and America doesn't need them spreading poison on the streets.
You don't know what you're talking about. Do you know any American Muslims? Not ever muslim is a terrorist just like not every christian is a bible-thumping bigot.
I don't have any Lutherans in my neighborhood, city, state, or country blowing up each other at marketplaces.
Show me one word of hate that either of them spoke in that interview. They were beautiful people with greater respect for their parents than 99.5% of American youth.
Religion is nothing but an excuse to start wars. History shows that the majority of all wars were based on religious beliefs. When people start exercising their religion without trying to force it on someone else then and only then will their be peace.
It's mainly a method of social control for the weak, and a method to concentrate wealth and power (I'm looking at you, Catholic church!).
Yet in the twentieth century we killed more people in secular wars than had been killed in all of human history before. How did that happen?
Ever see two atheists argue over whose God is greater,whose books more true?
Which, of our past,or current wars, could we call "The Atheist Wars"? If you are fighting a war of religions, you have a huge potential and responsibility to discern between believing and knowing. As a contributor you have, as yet, to engage your creativity to innovate a more knowing world. Lay down your weapon, walk away from war and grow food or help in a hospital or mental health clinic.
Believe in any God you wish, but know the difference between belief and knowledge.
So far as the NFL'ers in this story are concerned I hope they will eschew violence for a post graduate degree in something truthful and helpful, preferably something which values knowing over believing.
Actually wars have become far more violent in the age of secularism.
Amazing. A Story about two young men following their faith/beliefs peacefully has turned into a theoretical argument.
It's unbelievable. Such a genuine story, inspiring. It's disgusting how quick people are to attack something so great.
It's good, because it's encouraging people to pay attention and question what's going on around them.
And, in the end, know more about another 'faith'.
And question the motives of those that are pushing it.
Has anyone noticed that the beginning of the United States was extremely violent. Entire nations were wiped out over time for the white man to have his way. And now we are going to sit and judge Islam, which would not have survived if the Muslims did not defend themselves?
Does every Catholic wait until marriage to have intercourse? Does every Jewish person eat only Kosher foods? Does every Hindu avoid eating red meat? No. Not every Muslim is a terrorist, just like not every Christian is a bible-thumping, arrogant, self-rigtheous bigot.
Inspiring story and can serve as an example to all of us
All will know the truth in the End.
Also, Christian, means Christ-like. Those who are like Jesus Christ. Why do people think Christians, people who are believers, born again, and Christ-like, means everything else except Christ. Everyone is not Christ-like, are they?
Congradulations to the two of them for following their faith. Way to go. I have taken the time to read some of the posts and I am sadden by what I have read. I respect every one for their thoughts but I felt a lot of anger and blaming different religons for all of the negativity in the world today. I was raised lutheran and with good morals. in my early 30's I became born again. I have not read the Koran or any other religons bible. I have read the bible. I still became an addict who did unspeakable things to myself and others.
in my recovery I have learned that I need to be spiitual, not just religous. i need to have a higher power. it doesn't matter who of what it is, it just needs to bring you peace and understanding. I believe in God the father, the son Jesus, and the holy spirit. I also believe that the old testament was the book of law, and the new testament is the book of love. This works for me. Will it work for you? I don't know, I am not responsible for anyone else but myself. I choose not to believe any religon is based on killing others who do not share their faith. I do not have the right to tell anyone how or who to worship. If you ask I can only share with you why I chose to follow my God and how I do that.
So, God bless everyone in each of your own faith, and have a great spiritual day
I just hope that they saved their money from their careers and after their trek thru a foriegn country, not their homeland that they can make a living off the degrees they got from the scholarships that they went to college for...they haven't paid for a damn thing yet, so maybe they will be giving back somehow????
The simple reality is this..Applaud the kids for doing what they believe in but know it's not what you believe in..Most of us through time will have the ability to conceive in our minds what our true idealogy is and some of us will do what we can to make our idealogly the next man's belief..NOW, I believe that religions belong to those that chose them. I on one hand respect every man's choice to take whichever religion he deems necessary for his time on earth.. I on the other hand ask that same man to respect the fact that I chose not to believe in Religions... understand me.. I chose to believe that their is a higher power just not one that needs a man to define it..sort of like Politics.. I'm not a democrat nor a republican not even an independent... so i can vote for whomever i feel. attend whichever church has the best choir.. or just watch football.... Love is a many splendid thing... live life.. coming back after death is an abberation!
It doesn't matter what religion you claim. It don't matter what block, city, state or country you live in. Violence against your fellow man or women, is still violence. Again, relentless self rightiousness (I hope I spelled that right) has blinded us to the fact that this country and others like it, were built on violence against one another. People die on the streets of America everyday, killed by other Americans, and we have the audacity to pick a religion and say that it shouldn't be practiced here, because some idiots who have a twisted view of that religion use their own twisted interpretation of that religion to justify killing someone who doesn't believe as they do. Our president gets more death threats than any other sitting president in recent history. Alot of those threats come from "my fellow AMERICANS"! Why is that? Be honest if you can. A kid just got killed over his music being too loud. A 6 year old girl was raped and murdered by a close family friend who was trusted by her family and had a family of his own. Who the hell are we to be passing judjement on anyone. My son practices the Islamic faith and he is a good, kind, caring individual. Not a violent bone in his body. He wasn't always like that. But, he learned to be. Just as I have. Again, it comes back to how we interpret that which we choose to believe in. I gave up on organized religion a long time ago. Too many conflicting messages. For me, it's how I choose to treat my fellow man and women today, everyday that I wake up until I go to bed at night. If I end up in "hell" if there is such a place, then so be it. I did the best I could while I was here to make it right.
GARY3017851, "nothing in the NT says to kill anyone who does not believe like you do" oh yeah...??? I think you skipped over something in Sunday School
Jesus says: "Slay Them Before Me"
Luke 19:27,"But those enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them—bring them here and kill them in front of me."
Funny how Muslims know better the Bible then the Christian do.
There are well-educated, fully-informed, and genuinely interested people in the world. That was such a great story, and it was genuine. Not a thing was forced, memorized, or changed to make a "good story". Inspiring all on its own. So so so happy. Amazing.
I'm completely and totally surprised and saddened by some of the comments to this story. I'm not a Muslim, but I'm moved by the faith that these brothers display and am happy to have watched this story. More folks, of all faiths, should display this type of love-based faith...what a different world it would be!
Yeah, a world where women can't go to school or vote or go out in public alone or....
Yeah, what a world that would be.
You mean like Iraq where no one could go out on the streets without fear of what might transpire, or like Pakistan and Afghanistan where people are killed by drones just for collecting firewood. Yeah that does suck.
What a great story. May God reward these two brothers for presenting the true picture of Islam
I applaud NBC for airing this show--what a motivational piece and an honest look at the lives of extraordinary American Muslims, the Abdullah brothers. For all those malicious and/or ignorant comments about Islam, read the Quran and the authentic tradition of Islam and the history of Islamic civilization to see what Islam is really about. Look at the diversity of Muslims around the world, the mix of cultures, races, nationalities and languages. To paint Islam as a monolithic hate group is ignorant at best and morally repugnant.
Beautiful story...may God bless those brothers for presenting the true face of Islam...
So, will the good peaceful Muslim brothers, when, while at a Mosque or within their Muslim community, they hear of plans for violence, speak up to non-Muslim authorities about these plans? They are either part of the solution to the violence or a part of the violence.
What if they hear of 'honor' abuse of women or girls, will they speak up and report it?
Again, they are either a part of the solution or a part of the problem.