September 12, 2007, the New York Jets signed him based on a recommendation from Bill Parcells and would start 8 games at safety. In 2008 he started 9 games. On April 25, 2009, he was sent to the Cleveland Browns as part of a trade to acquire the fifth overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, in order to select Mark Sanchez. Cleveland Browns In 2009, he was reunited with former New York Jets head coach Eric Mangini and was the Browns starter at safety, registering 88 tackles (led the team), one sack, 2 passes defensed, one fumble recovery and one forced fumble. In 2010, he posted 79 tackles, 2 interceptions, 10 passes defensed, 2 forced fumbles and 2 fumble recoveries. Dallas Cowboys (second stint) On August 3, 2011, after hiring his former Browns defensive coordinator Rob Ryan, the Cowboys signed him to a one-year contract as a free agent and named him the starter at safety. He started every game, while registering 79 tackles (second on the team), one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. He wasn't re-signed after the season. Kansas City Chiefs On June 5, 2012, Elam signed as a free agent with the Kansas City Chiefs to provide depth behind Eric Berry, who was returning from a serious knee injury. He wasn't re-signed at the end of the year. Personal life Since 1987, three of Elam's siblings were shot to death. His older brother, Donald Runner, was fatally shot in 1987. His sister Christina, was killed in 1999. On May 9, 2008, his older brother Donald Elam was fatally shot; at age 14, Donald was once the youngest person ever indicted for murder in Palm Beach County, though he was later acquitted. On December 1, 2011, Abram's father died, and Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones let Abram use his private plane to go to Florida to be with his family. His younger brother, Matt Elam played in the NFL for the Baltimore Ravens. His son, Kaiir Elam, played defensive back for the University of Florida and was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the first round (23rd overall) of the 2022 NFL Draft. References 1981 births Living people Sportspeople from West Palm Beach, Florida African-American players of American football Players of American football from Florida American football safeties Notre Dame Fighting Irish football players Kent State Golden Flashes football players Dallas Cowboys players New York Jets