Kusanti Abdul-Salaam, birth name Andy Colbert, (born March 29, 1975) is a former Arena Football wide receiver/defensive back who played for the Portland Forest Dragons, Oklahoma Wranglers, Tampa Bay Storm and Georgia Force.[1] He played college football at UCLA.

Kusanti Abdul-Salaam
Personal information
Born: (1975-03-29) March 29, 1975 (age 49)
Pasadena, California
Height:5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Weight:175 lb (79 kg)
Career information
College:UCLA
Position:Wide receiver / Defensive back
Career history
Player stats at ArenaFan.com

Highschool edit

Kusanti attended John Muir High School. He lettered in football where he played quarterback and defensive back, track where he was a sprinter and hurdler, and basketball where he played point guard. He received a full scholarship to UCLA.

Name change edit

After a 35–17 loss to Arizona Andy Colbert changed his name to Kusanti Abdul-Salaam due to his conversion to the Islamic faith. The name literally means: "He that is servant of Allah, with peace and salvation."[2]

Post career edit

After college Abdul-Salaam went to Denmark to play professional football. In Denmark he played Runningback, Wide Receiver, and Defensive Back.

Portland Forest Dragons edit

Kusanti played for the Portland Forest Dragons in 1999.

Oklahoma Wranglers edit

Kusanti played with former UCLA teammate kicker Chris Sailer.[3]

Georgia Force edit

In 2001, Kusanti was the pick in the 2nd round of the 2001 Arena Football League dispersal draft by the Georgia Force, a new franchise team that year.[4]

Personal edit

Kusanti graduated with a B.A. in history. He works as a barber and also provides home health care for the handicap. He is currently working to become a professor in history. In 2008, he began coaching for the Pasadena Polytechnical School.[5]

References edit

  1. ^ "Kusanti Abdul-Salaam". ArenaFan.com. Retrieved May 27, 2012.
  2. ^ ART THOMPSON: The Orange,County Register. (November 17, 1996). Bruin not afraid to name names // UCLA NOTES: Kusanti abdul-salaam, who changed his name from andy colbert last week, blames himself after blown coverage. Orange County Register, pp. c.06-c.06.
  3. ^ -, R. H. (May 26, 2001). Avengers vs. oklahoma. Daily News, pp. S.12-S12.
  4. ^ Holcomb, T. (December 11, 2001). PRO FOOTBALL: ARENA FOOTBALL: Atlanta gets 2-way lineman with top pick. The Atlanta Journal the Atlanta Constitution, pp. C.5-C.5
  5. ^ "Polytechnic School, a K-12, coed day school in Pasadena, CA". Polytechnic.org. Retrieved May 27, 2012.