FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — Oday Aboushi is a hometown kid carrying the hopes — and pride — of an entire community.
As a Palestinian-American, the New York Jets’ offensive lineman is a rarity in the NFL. Aboushi, drafted in the fifth round out of the University of Virginia two weeks ago, is one of just a small handful of players with that ethnic background to get such an opportunity.
Aboushi, whose family resides in the New York borough of Staten Island, is the ninth of 10 children born to Palestinian immigrant parents. He says it’s “an honor” to represent Palestinian-Americans and Muslims as an NFL player.
Linda Sarsour, the executive director of the Arab-American Association of New York, says Aboushi “gives a new image” to the perception of Palestinian people.
