Husky Legend: Hakim Akbar
October 19, 2018 | Football
By Nick Reeves
A hard hitting safety for the Huskies, Hakim Akbar played the game with an intensity and passion that made him a force on the defense side of the football. Akbar, who was born in Riverside, Calif. attended Riverside Polytechnic High School and was a highly rated defensive back prospect before his time at the University of Washington.
"I had a list of schools, and Washington fit everything I was looking for," said Akbar. "The great safety tradition was something I looked at with Lawyer Milloy and Tony Parrish. When it came down time to decide, it was the right fit for me."
In his time as a Husky, Akbar was a three-year letterman, playing in 33 games and starting 26 through his Washington career. He split time between strong and free safety at the backend of the Washington defensive secondary. Akbar earned freshman first-team All-American honors in 1998, finishing third on the team in tackles, recording an interception, forcing a fumble and recovering a fumble while playing in all 11 games.
During his sophomore campaign in 1999, Akbar was second on the team in tackles with 76 in a year that earned him All-Pac-10 second team honors. At the team's end of the year banquet Akbar was rewarded with the KOMO Radio Co-Outstanding Defensive Player of the Year.
Going into Akbar's junior year, he felt that the team and himself personally were destined for a great season. He lived up to his high standards for himself as he led the team with 106 tackles, recording two interceptions, as well as being named to the 2000 All-Pac-10 first team.
"I stayed there all summer, working hard," said Akbar. "The team and I dedicated ourselves, it wasn't just me. We had a great year to make it to the Rose Bowl, it was such an exciting year fighting that hard to make it there."
Akbar capped off his Husky career with a statement as Washington beat Purdue 34-32 in the 2001 Rose Bowl. Akbar helped propel his team to a 11-1 record in that season, being ranked third in the country at the end of the year.
Akbar credits quarterback Marques Tuiasosopo for helping himself and the entire defense keep their confidence during all parts of a game and the season. He believes that the quarterbacks leadership helped to explain why the team has such a successful year.
"If the defense messed up, you'd see Tui come out and tell everyone not to worry about it," said Akbar. "Tui would always take over games."
A turning point in the 2000 season was when Akbar's close friend and fellow safety Curtis Williams was seriously injured during a game against Stanford, where Williams was left paralyzed. The impact of Williams' unfortunate incident had a dramatic effect on Akbar who was in his third year of playing alongside Williams.
"Especially when Curtis went down, we did it for him, we wanted to play hard to get him a ring," said Akbar. "We did it for Curtis, we had CW on our jersey, we came together really strong and hard for Curtis and for each other. We all drove off of each other."
After the end of Akbar's junior season, he declared for the 2001 NFL Draft where he would be taken by the New England Patriots in the fifth round. Though injuries hampered Akbar's play on the field, he was also presented with a different brand of football than he was accustom to.
"It was a lot different, it was more of a business," said Akbar on the NFL. "The college game is so passionate. I noticed it was us being told to do our job, everyone does their job and let's go get them. That was our breakdown in the huddle one time, everybody knows their job, and execute your job. I couldn't relate to that. And to that I was frustrated, with the lack of passion that was there. It was more about individuals than a team sometimes. It was a big difference, and it took some adjusting from me to understand it is a business, and it isn't college anymore."
Akbar received a Super Bowl ring after the Patriots won the 2002 Super Bowl. The NFL career of Akbar would span until 2006 after playing for five different NFL franchises.
Today, Akbar is still a proud Husky and relishes in the opportunity to come back and visit the pacific northwest.
"I always come up to Seattle for a game," said Akbar. "I love to come up and support the Huskies. I bleed the purple and gold for life. That's my school, and I just love being in Seattle. Anytime I can be there and be around all the purple shirts, I try to take the opportunity to do that."
The opportunity to be honored as a Husky Legend was an overwhelming thought for Akbar. He understands the great legacy of Husky football and knows the role in how he helped to continue its great legacy.
"It means the world to me," said Akbar on finding out he would be named a Husky Legend. "It's such an honor, and I'm just really grateful that they thought of me. To give me a call and to let me be considered. I'm excited and I'm just overwhelmed. Words can't describe the feeling, I really felt overwhelmed with joy. I'm excited to have the moment."
On Saturday, Akbar will hear his name ring through the greatest setting in college football once again as he is recognized for his accomplishments in the Husky secondary.
Β
A hard hitting safety for the Huskies, Hakim Akbar played the game with an intensity and passion that made him a force on the defense side of the football. Akbar, who was born in Riverside, Calif. attended Riverside Polytechnic High School and was a highly rated defensive back prospect before his time at the University of Washington.
"I had a list of schools, and Washington fit everything I was looking for," said Akbar. "The great safety tradition was something I looked at with Lawyer Milloy and Tony Parrish. When it came down time to decide, it was the right fit for me."
In his time as a Husky, Akbar was a three-year letterman, playing in 33 games and starting 26 through his Washington career. He split time between strong and free safety at the backend of the Washington defensive secondary. Akbar earned freshman first-team All-American honors in 1998, finishing third on the team in tackles, recording an interception, forcing a fumble and recovering a fumble while playing in all 11 games.
During his sophomore campaign in 1999, Akbar was second on the team in tackles with 76 in a year that earned him All-Pac-10 second team honors. At the team's end of the year banquet Akbar was rewarded with the KOMO Radio Co-Outstanding Defensive Player of the Year.
Going into Akbar's junior year, he felt that the team and himself personally were destined for a great season. He lived up to his high standards for himself as he led the team with 106 tackles, recording two interceptions, as well as being named to the 2000 All-Pac-10 first team.
"I stayed there all summer, working hard," said Akbar. "The team and I dedicated ourselves, it wasn't just me. We had a great year to make it to the Rose Bowl, it was such an exciting year fighting that hard to make it there."
Akbar capped off his Husky career with a statement as Washington beat Purdue 34-32 in the 2001 Rose Bowl. Akbar helped propel his team to a 11-1 record in that season, being ranked third in the country at the end of the year.
Akbar credits quarterback Marques Tuiasosopo for helping himself and the entire defense keep their confidence during all parts of a game and the season. He believes that the quarterbacks leadership helped to explain why the team has such a successful year.
"If the defense messed up, you'd see Tui come out and tell everyone not to worry about it," said Akbar. "Tui would always take over games."
A turning point in the 2000 season was when Akbar's close friend and fellow safety Curtis Williams was seriously injured during a game against Stanford, where Williams was left paralyzed. The impact of Williams' unfortunate incident had a dramatic effect on Akbar who was in his third year of playing alongside Williams.
"Especially when Curtis went down, we did it for him, we wanted to play hard to get him a ring," said Akbar. "We did it for Curtis, we had CW on our jersey, we came together really strong and hard for Curtis and for each other. We all drove off of each other."
After the end of Akbar's junior season, he declared for the 2001 NFL Draft where he would be taken by the New England Patriots in the fifth round. Though injuries hampered Akbar's play on the field, he was also presented with a different brand of football than he was accustom to.
"It was a lot different, it was more of a business," said Akbar on the NFL. "The college game is so passionate. I noticed it was us being told to do our job, everyone does their job and let's go get them. That was our breakdown in the huddle one time, everybody knows their job, and execute your job. I couldn't relate to that. And to that I was frustrated, with the lack of passion that was there. It was more about individuals than a team sometimes. It was a big difference, and it took some adjusting from me to understand it is a business, and it isn't college anymore."
Akbar received a Super Bowl ring after the Patriots won the 2002 Super Bowl. The NFL career of Akbar would span until 2006 after playing for five different NFL franchises.
Today, Akbar is still a proud Husky and relishes in the opportunity to come back and visit the pacific northwest.
"I always come up to Seattle for a game," said Akbar. "I love to come up and support the Huskies. I bleed the purple and gold for life. That's my school, and I just love being in Seattle. Anytime I can be there and be around all the purple shirts, I try to take the opportunity to do that."
The opportunity to be honored as a Husky Legend was an overwhelming thought for Akbar. He understands the great legacy of Husky football and knows the role in how he helped to continue its great legacy.
"It means the world to me," said Akbar on finding out he would be named a Husky Legend. "It's such an honor, and I'm just really grateful that they thought of me. To give me a call and to let me be considered. I'm excited and I'm just overwhelmed. Words can't describe the feeling, I really felt overwhelmed with joy. I'm excited to have the moment."
On Saturday, Akbar will hear his name ring through the greatest setting in college football once again as he is recognized for his accomplishments in the Husky secondary.
Β
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