Homewood-native +  NFL star lands role in new Cuba Gooding, Jr. film

Homewood native and NFL star Ameer Abdullah has been tapped to take on a role in a new Cuba Gooding, Jr. film.

Abdullah is set to play in an urban drama along with Gooding, Jr. and Vivia A. Fox called Break the Cycle, according to the Las Vegas Register-Journal. 

An all-state football player at Homewood High School, Abdullah was a highly recruited player in 2010. At the time, he turned down both Auburn and Alabama to play at Nebraska.

He had a very successful career with the Cornhuskers rushing for 1600+ yards consecutively in 2013 and 2014 — ending up with 4,588 career rushing yards and 7,086 all-purpose yards.

Since 2015, he has played for the Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, Carolina Panthers and Las Vegas Raiders in the NFL.

Abdullah is focused on the arts

This will be Abdullah’s first role in a major motion picture, even though according to a separate January 2024 feature by Las Vegas Register-Journal on the Raiders star. In addition to acting he has been screenwriting, directing and producing short films. 

This new film, which is his first acting role, begins production next month in Memphis. 

From the Hollywood trade publication Deadline the film is about:

“…Break the Cycle delves into the lives of two brothers whose childhood is marred by a horribly tragic incident. Raised by their loving but stern grandmother, the brothers take radically different paths as they come of age in the gritty streets of Memphis.

Jay, a gifted basketball player with dreams of making it to the NBA, is a beacon of hope for his grandmother and a potential ticket out of their harsh reality. However, the allure of his charismatic yet troubled brother, Eddie, who’s deeply entrenched in the world of street crime, casts a shadow over Jay’s future.”

Abdullah plays the role of K-Money, a street king who runs the neighborhood and wants to recruit Eddie deeper into the hood life.”

Sidewalk calling Ameer Abdullah?

Is Homewood High School becoming a hotbed for talented people in film? Last year, 2003 Homewood alum Paul Rogers won an Oscar for Film Editing. 

Let’s hope during the off-season, Birmingham’s own Sidewalk Film will welcome Abdullah back to the Magic City to talk about his growth as an actor and in film.

Now, that would be a treat.

Meanwhile, look out for Ameer Abdullah’s upcoming role in a Cuba Gooding, Jr. film and on Sundays in the NFL.