High School Football
This winning Kurdish high school quarterback is inspiring Nashville's Muslim kids
Cane Ridge high school senior Shivan Abdullah takes his 9-1 Ravens into a playoff game tonight − and he'll do so with the support of thousands in Nashville's growing Kurdish community
Brad SchmittNashville Tennessean
- "For the younger people in my community, I take so much pride in being a role model for them," Abdullah says.
- Abdullah's parents left Iraqi Kurdistan after his father served in the Kurdish army fighting authoritarian leader Saddam Hussein's regime.
- Abdullah is the youngest of four boys, and he got his love of American football from his big brothers.
NASHVILLE – At age 5, Shivan Abdullah's football career got off to a painful start.
"That first day of practice, the helmet was hurting my head, so I started crying," Abdullah said, laughing.
The boy, encouraged by his three older brothers, kept going to practice − and it only took one game to change his attitude.
"My first-ever game, I scored three touchdowns," he said, beaming, "and since then, I loved football."
Abdullah, 17, is now a fan favorite and a triple threat for the 9-1 Cane Ridge Ravens: The senior is the starting quarterback, kicker and punter. He'll lead the Ravens in Friday night's playoff game against Gallatin.