Sidney H. Abramowitz (born May 21, 1960) is a Jewish American former offensive tackle who appeared in 22 NFL regular-season games between 1983 and 1987. He played for the Baltimore Colts, Seattle Seahawks, New York Jets, and Indianapolis Colts and earned All-America honors at the University of Tulsa.
Abramowitz was born in Culver City, California, to Ben and Irene Abramowitz. His father was a career Army officer, and the family later lived in Leavenworth, Kansas, where Sid attended Leavenworth High School. His parents ensured that he and his brothers received a Jewish education. At Leavenworth, Sid competed in football, wrestling, and track and field before becoming a college offensive lineman.
He initially attended the U.S. Air Force Academy and then transferred to Tulsa. After sitting out under the then-in-force transfer rules, he started at offensive tackle in 1981 and 1982. He was selected to the All-Missouri Valley Conference team in both seasons. As a junior, he received honorable mention in the Associated Press All-America selections; as a senior, he earned third-team All-America recognition. Tulsa finished 10-1 in 1982 and won the conference title with a 6-0 league record. Following that season, Abramowitz played in the Blue-Gray Classic, the East-West Shrine Game, and the Senior Bowl.
The Arizona Wranglers selected Abramowitz in the 1983 United States Football League draft, but he joined the NFL after the Baltimore Colts chose him in the fifth round (113th overall). He appeared in 14 regular-season games as a rookie, including one start. The Colts moved to Indianapolis before the 1984 season; Abramowitz continued his career with Seattle that year. He played four regular-season games for the Seahawks and started their 13-7 playoff victory over the Los Angeles Raiders on December 22, 1984.
In 1985, Abramowitz appeared in one game for the New York Jets. He spent the 1986 offseason with the St. Louis Cardinals but did not play a regular-season game. During the 1987 NFL players’ strike, he rejoined the Indianapolis Colts as a replacement player and started all three games he appeared in. He totaled 22 regular-season appearances and four starts, in addition to his playoff start with Seattle.
Tulsa selected Abramowitz for its 2006 Athletics Hall of Fame class and formally inducted him in January 2007. After his playing career, he worked in business.
Sources: “Sid Abramowitz,” University of Tulsa Athletics.
“1982 Football Team,” University of Tulsa Athletics.
“1983 USFL Draft,” Pro Football Archives.
“1984 Seattle Seahawks Playoffs,” Pro Football Archives.
“1987 Indianapolis Colts,” Pro Football Archives.
“Coaching Great Nolan Richardson and Three Former Athletes to Receive Induction into TU Athletic Hall of Fame,” University of Tulsa Athletics, (October 8, 2006).
Abramowitz family, “Ben Abramowitz,” Beckman-Williamson Funeral Homes & Crematory, (October 2023).
“Sid Abramowitz,” Pro-Football-Reference.
Photo: “Sid Abramowitz,” University of Tulsa Athletics.