Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila
Encyclopedia
Muhammed-Kabeer Olanrewaju Gbaja-Biamila (icon; born September 24, 1977), commonly referred to as "KGB", is an American football
defensive end
who is currently a free agent
. He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers
in the fifth round of the 2000 NFL Draft
. He played college football
at San Diego State.
A Pro Bowl
selection in 2003
, he is the older brother of former NFL linebacker
Akbar Gbaja-Biamila
.
in Los Angeles, California and was a student and a three-year letterman in football and track and field. In football, as a senior, he was named the Central City Defensive Lineman of the Year.
While at attending Crenshaw High School, Gbaja-Biamila was a student-owner of Food From the Hood, an organic food company that sprang from the 1992 Los Angeles riots
. Food From the Hood eventually went on to launch a line of salad dressings that appeared in all major Southern California grocery chains as well as on Amazon.com
. For their work, Food From the Hood received the "American Achievement Award" from Newsweek
, which featured both Gbaja-Biamila on its cover. On November 1, 1994 Prince Charles paid a visit to Crenshaw High School, upon an invitation from Food From The Hood.
where he was a three-year starter. He finished his career with the Aztecs
with a school record 33 sacks, a mark previously held by former Packer Mike Douglass
at 26 sacks. He was named a first team all-conference selection in each of his last three seasons. He graduated with a degree in business administration.
with the 149th overall selection. The San Diego State University
graduate became, in 2003, the first player in Packers history to record ten or more sacks
in three consecutive seasons. He also played in the Pro Bowl
that year. In 2004, he again recorded double-digit sacks, taking down opposing quarterbacks 13.5 times. KGB is recognized for having one of the most explosive first-steps of any defensive linemen in the NFL.
During the 2006 season, Gbaja-Biamila was demoted from starter to second string defensive end behind starters Aaron Kampman
and Cullen Jenkins
and accepted the role of a pass rushing specialist who is most active on passing downs.
In October 2007, Gbaja-Biamila broke the Green Bay Packers sack record with 69 sacks, which was previously held by Hall of Famer Reggie White
with 68½ sacks. Originally, Gbaja-Biamila was not credited with a third sack against Vikings
quarterback Kelly Holcomb
during the Packers vs. Vikings game on September 30. Later on in the week, the Elias Sports Bureau reviewed game footage and credited Gbaja-Biamila with a third sack on Kelly Holcomb, who was originally ruled as rushing for zero yards.
Gbaja-Biamila played in seven games (one start) for the Packers in 2008, recording nine tackles, half a sack and a pass defensed. He was released on November 1 after the team activated defensive tackle Justin Harrell
from the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list.
: Anjorin) and the second child to Mustapha Gbaja-Biamila. He is the older brother of free agent linebacker
Akbar Gbaja-Biamila
and a twin. He has another brother named Abdul. He graduated from Crenshaw High School
in Los Angeles. Both of his parents were Muslim
, until his mother converted to Christianity
. While he was raised under a Sunni Muslim household, during his rookie season with the Green Bay Packers he converted to Christianity. Even after his conversion he still adheres to certain Islamic practices such as eating halal
.
He is the coordinator at the local Celebration Church Bayside for Crown Financial Ministries
, which claims to teach people how to manage money God's way using Biblical principles. He was involved in the first faith-based event at Lambeau Field called Lambeau Leap of Faith, in July 2007, where thousands of Christians gathered.
Kabeer also serves on the board of directors at Freedom House
, a shelter for homeless families in Green Bay. Each year Freedom House helps over 100 families including over 250 children overcome homelessness and move into stable permanent housing and employment. In 2007 he started Kabeer's Freedom House Sack Fund. For each sack registered during the 2007 season, over $10,000 will be donated to Freedom House. Kabeer put up the first $1,000 per sack pledge himself.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
defensive end
Defensive end
Defensive end is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American and Canadian football.This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formations have substantially changed how the position is played over the years...
who is currently a free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
. He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
in the fifth round of the 2000 NFL Draft
2000 NFL Draft
The 2000 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur U.S. college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held April 15–16, 2000...
. He played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
at San Diego State.
A Pro Bowl
Pro Bowl
In professional American football, the Pro Bowl is the all-star game of the National Football League . Since the merger with the rival American Football League in 1970, it has been officially called the AFC–NFC Pro Bowl, matching the top players in the American Football Conference against those...
selection in 2003
2004 Pro Bowl
The 2004 AFC-NFC Pro Bowl was played on February 8, 2004 at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii. The final score was NFC 55, AFC 52, the most points scored in a Pro Bowl game. Marc Bulger of the St. Louis Rams was the game's MVP.-Game summary:...
, he is the older brother of former NFL linebacker
Linebacker
A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
Akbar Gbaja-Biamila
Akbar Gbaja-Biamila
Akbar Oluwakemi-Idowu Gbaja-Biamila is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Oakland Raiders as an undrafted free agent in 2003. He played college football at San Diego State. He currently works for NBC Sports as a college football analyst, previously...
.
Early years
Gbaja-Biamila attendeed Crenshaw High SchoolCrenshaw High School
Crenshaw High School is a secondary school located in South Los Angeles, California.The school first opened in 1968 and currently enrolls an average of 2,600 students. Its address is 5010 11th Avenue, near the corner of 50th Street. The school colors are blue and gold, and its mascot is the...
in Los Angeles, California and was a student and a three-year letterman in football and track and field. In football, as a senior, he was named the Central City Defensive Lineman of the Year.
While at attending Crenshaw High School, Gbaja-Biamila was a student-owner of Food From the Hood, an organic food company that sprang from the 1992 Los Angeles riots
1992 Los Angeles riots
The 1992 Los Angeles Riots or South Central Riots, also known as the 1992 Los Angeles Civil Unrest were sparked on April 29, 1992, when a jury acquitted three white and one hispanic Los Angeles Police Department officers accused in the videotaped beating of black motorist Rodney King following a...
. Food From the Hood eventually went on to launch a line of salad dressings that appeared in all major Southern California grocery chains as well as on Amazon.com
Amazon.com
Amazon.com, Inc. is a multinational electronic commerce company headquartered in Seattle, Washington, United States. It is the world's largest online retailer. Amazon has separate websites for the following countries: United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Japan, and...
. For their work, Food From the Hood received the "American Achievement Award" from Newsweek
Newsweek
Newsweek is an American weekly news magazine published in New York City. It is distributed throughout the United States and internationally. It is the second-largest news weekly magazine in the U.S., having trailed Time in circulation and advertising revenue for most of its existence...
, which featured both Gbaja-Biamila on its cover. On November 1, 1994 Prince Charles paid a visit to Crenshaw High School, upon an invitation from Food From The Hood.
College career
Gbaja-Biamila attended San Diego State UniversitySan Diego State University
San Diego State University , founded in 1897 as San Diego Normal School, is the largest and oldest higher education facility in the greater San Diego area , and is part of the California State University system...
where he was a three-year starter. He finished his career with the Aztecs
SDSU Aztecs
The San Diego State Aztecs are the collegiate athletics and sports teams for San Diego State University .San Diego State has organized programs for baseball, basketball, football, soccer, golf, gymnastics, rowing , softball, tennis, track, swimming, diving, women's volleyball, and water polo.The...
with a school record 33 sacks, a mark previously held by former Packer Mike Douglass
Mike Douglass (American football)
Michael Reese Douglass is a former American football player. He played outside linebacker for the Green Bay Packers and the San Diego Chargers in the National Football League. He ranks third in the lists of tackles made by a Packers player....
at 26 sacks. He was named a first team all-conference selection in each of his last three seasons. He graduated with a degree in business administration.
Green Bay Packers
Gbaja-Biamila was chosen by the Packers in the fifth round of the 2000 NFL Draft2000 NFL Draft
The 2000 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur U.S. college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held April 15–16, 2000...
with the 149th overall selection. The San Diego State University
San Diego State University
San Diego State University , founded in 1897 as San Diego Normal School, is the largest and oldest higher education facility in the greater San Diego area , and is part of the California State University system...
graduate became, in 2003, the first player in Packers history to record ten or more sacks
Quarterback sack
In American football and Canadian football, a sack occurs when the quarterback is tackled behind the line of scrimmage before he can throw a forward pass, or when the quarterback is tackled behind the line of scrimmage in the "pocket" and the intent of what he was going to do is unclear...
in three consecutive seasons. He also played in the Pro Bowl
Pro Bowl
In professional American football, the Pro Bowl is the all-star game of the National Football League . Since the merger with the rival American Football League in 1970, it has been officially called the AFC–NFC Pro Bowl, matching the top players in the American Football Conference against those...
that year. In 2004, he again recorded double-digit sacks, taking down opposing quarterbacks 13.5 times. KGB is recognized for having one of the most explosive first-steps of any defensive linemen in the NFL.
During the 2006 season, Gbaja-Biamila was demoted from starter to second string defensive end behind starters Aaron Kampman
Aaron Kampman
Aaron Allan Kampman is an American football defensive end and linebacker for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League. He was drafted by Green Bay Packers in the fifth round of the 2002 NFL Draft. He played college football at Iowa....
and Cullen Jenkins
Cullen Jenkins
Cullen Darome Jenkins is an American football defensive tackle for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League . He was signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 2003...
and accepted the role of a pass rushing specialist who is most active on passing downs.
In October 2007, Gbaja-Biamila broke the Green Bay Packers sack record with 69 sacks, which was previously held by Hall of Famer Reggie White
Reggie White
Reginald Howard "Reggie" White was a professional American football player. He played 15 seasons as a defensive end in the National Football League for the Philadelphia Eagles, Green Bay Packers and Carolina Panthers, becoming one of the most decorated players in NFL history...
with 68½ sacks. Originally, Gbaja-Biamila was not credited with a third sack against Vikings
Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960...
quarterback Kelly Holcomb
Kelly Holcomb
Bryan Kelly Holcomb is a former American football quarterback of the National Football League. He was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent in 1995...
during the Packers vs. Vikings game on September 30. Later on in the week, the Elias Sports Bureau reviewed game footage and credited Gbaja-Biamila with a third sack on Kelly Holcomb, who was originally ruled as rushing for zero yards.
Gbaja-Biamila played in seven games (one start) for the Packers in 2008, recording nine tackles, half a sack and a pass defensed. He was released on November 1 after the team activated defensive tackle Justin Harrell
Justin Harrell
Justin Tyrell Harrell is an American football defensive end who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers 16th overall in the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at Tennessee.-Early years:...
from the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list.
Family and personal life
Kabeer is fifth child born to Bolatito Gbaja-Biamila (néeNEE
NEE is a political protest group whose goal was to provide an alternative for voters who are unhappy with all political parties at hand in Belgium, where voting is compulsory.The NEE party was founded in 2005 in Antwerp...
: Anjorin) and the second child to Mustapha Gbaja-Biamila. He is the older brother of free agent linebacker
Linebacker
A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
Akbar Gbaja-Biamila
Akbar Gbaja-Biamila
Akbar Oluwakemi-Idowu Gbaja-Biamila is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Oakland Raiders as an undrafted free agent in 2003. He played college football at San Diego State. He currently works for NBC Sports as a college football analyst, previously...
and a twin. He has another brother named Abdul. He graduated from Crenshaw High School
Crenshaw High School
Crenshaw High School is a secondary school located in South Los Angeles, California.The school first opened in 1968 and currently enrolls an average of 2,600 students. Its address is 5010 11th Avenue, near the corner of 50th Street. The school colors are blue and gold, and its mascot is the...
in Los Angeles. Both of his parents were Muslim
Muslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
, until his mother converted to Christianity
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
. While he was raised under a Sunni Muslim household, during his rookie season with the Green Bay Packers he converted to Christianity. Even after his conversion he still adheres to certain Islamic practices such as eating halal
Halal
Halal is a term designating any object or an action which is permissible to use or engage in, according to Islamic law. The term is used to designate food seen as permissible according to Islamic law...
.
He is the coordinator at the local Celebration Church Bayside for Crown Financial Ministries
Crown Financial Ministries
Crown Financial Ministries is a nondenominational, evangelical Christian ministry with the mission of equipping Christians around the world to learn, apply and teach financial principles which they claim are based on the Bible...
, which claims to teach people how to manage money God's way using Biblical principles. He was involved in the first faith-based event at Lambeau Field called Lambeau Leap of Faith, in July 2007, where thousands of Christians gathered.
Kabeer also serves on the board of directors at Freedom House
Freedom House
Freedom House is an international non-governmental organization based in Washington, D.C. that conducts research and advocacy on democracy, political freedom and human rights...
, a shelter for homeless families in Green Bay. Each year Freedom House helps over 100 families including over 250 children overcome homelessness and move into stable permanent housing and employment. In 2007 he started Kabeer's Freedom House Sack Fund. For each sack registered during the 2007 season, over $10,000 will be donated to Freedom House. Kabeer put up the first $1,000 per sack pledge himself.