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In the Heat of Camp, the Hunger of Faith
Posted By: Pat Borzi
Tuesday September 7th, 2010
 
For Minnesota Vikings defensive back Husain Abdullah, the most important clock inside the Metrodome was not the one keeping time for his team's recent preseason game with the Seattle Seahawks. Another, showing the time of day, held greater significance for him and for the Vikings' training staff.

Abdullah, a third-year safety, is a Muslim who keeps the traditional fast during the holy month of Ramadan; he cannot eat or drink from sunup to sundown. So while his teammates slugged down water and sports drinks on the sideline during the first quarter, Abdullah had to abstain until sunset, at 7:57 p.m. Abdullah went by the clock because the game was indoors.

"So I told them, as soon as it's 8 o'clock, remind me so I can pour some down," Abdullah said. "We did a kickoff, had a long drive on defense, and then they scored a field goal. On the sideline they said: 'It's 8 o'clock. Start pounding.' "  (CONT.)
 
Source: The New York Times
 
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