Abiamiri idolized his older brothers (who both played football) while he was growing up.

Getting To Know... Victor Abiamiri

Oct. 1, 2004

#95 Victor Abiamiri

Sophomore, 6-4, 269

Defensive End

Randallstown, MD/Gilman

Victor Abiamiri is in his second season at Notre Dame and has seen action in all 15 games of his Irish career, making five starts as a freshman during the 2003 season. Selected as an honorable mention Freshman All-American by Rivals.com in 2003, Abiamiri has a career total of 23 tackles (17 solo, 6 assists). Quick and agile with a great first step, Abiamiri has all the tools to develop into a top pass rusher. GameDay Magazine’s Bridget Veihmeyer gives Irish fans a chance to get to know Victor Abiamiri.

Veihmeyer: What made you pick Notre Dame over the other schools you were interested in and what schools were they?

Abiamiri: The academic and athletic tradition at Notre Dame is unlike anywhere else. The other schools I looked at were Maryland, because that’s where I’m from, and Miami.

Veihmeyer: To date, what has been the highlight of your Notre Dame career?

Abiamiri: Beating Michigan earlier this season.

Veihmeyer: Who were your sports idols as a kid and why?

Abiamiri: My older brothers were my sports idols. They both started playing football before I did, so I tried to model my game and work ethic after theirs.

Veihmeyer: As a football player is there anyone you’ve modeled your game after?

Abiamiri: Besides my brothers, Ray Lewis of the Baltimore Ravens. He’s my favorite pro football player and he plays the game with great intensity.

Veihmeyer: Who has been your biggest non-sports role model and why?

Abiamiri: My high school religion teacher. He taught me how to be a better man and different morals to live my life by.

Veihmeyer: What is one thing in your life you can’t live without?

Abiamiri: Television. We have yet to set up DirectTV in our dorm room and it’s killing me.

Veihmeyer: What is the best advice that you’ve ever been given and who gave it to you?

Abiamiri: My high school football coach always told me to put others before myself and that’s helped me become a better human being. In the end, all that matters is being a good person.

Veihmeyer: What is one thing about you that might surprise people?

Abiamiri: I pretty much procrastinate on every single assignment.

Veihmeyer: How and what do you do to balance your academic workload and football workload?

Abiamiri: Discipline. I came from a pretty good high school where I learned to get my work done when I needed to. Football takes a big chunk out of your day, but I know when to buckle down and when I have to do work. I know how to get it done.

Veihmeyer: What is your most embarrassing moment in sports?

Abiamiri: Last year in practice the offense ran a trick play, and I got knocked out by Matt Krueger, who was a walk-on quarterback. I’m twice his size so the whole team was laughing at me.

Veihmeyer: If you were stranded on an island and could only eat one meal, listen to one song, and have one person with you; what would you eat, what would you listen to, and who would you pick?

Abiamiri: I’d eat my mom’s spaghetti and meatballs with garlic bread, listen to something by 50 cent, and have my mom there so she’d be able to cook up that meal for me.

Veihmeyer: What is your favorite movie?

Abiamiri: Gladiator is one of my all time favorites. It gets me pumped up.

Veihmeyer: What is the toughest place you’ve played as a college football player?

Abiamiri: Michigan, in The Big House. That’s a harsh environment.

Veihmeyer: What CD do you have in your collection that would surprise people?

Abiamiri: I have almost all the Dave Matthews Band albums.

Veihmeyer: What would a movie about your life be titled and who would star as you?

Abiamiri: It would be called The Golden Boy starring Denzel Washington.

Veihmeyer: If you had the chance to play golf with anyone in history, who would be in your foursome and why?

Abiamiri: Martin Luther King, Jr, because he’d have a lot of good things to say, and I’d like to learn from him. My grandfather, because I never met him, but my mom is always telling me stories about him. I’d like to be able to catch up with him. And lastly…maybe Denzel Washington.

Veihmeyer: When your football career is over, what do you see yourself doing?

Abiamiri: Probably owning my own business.

Veihmeyer: If you could be a cartoon character, who would you be and why?

Abiamiri: Homer Simpson. He’s the man! He’s got an awesome life.

Veihmeyer: Describe what it feels like on game day and playing in Notre Dame Stadium?

Abiamiri: Every time you run out of the tunnel, chills go down your spine. It’s amazing. Words can’t even describe it.

Veihmeyer: What is your favorite thing about playing for Notre Dame?

Abiamiri: The exposure you get. Every game is nationally televised and everyone is watching. Everyone may not like you, but they’re still watching. Playing in front of a national audience is awesome.