Abram Booty was destined to become one of LSU’s top receivers in school history.
After his first two seasons at LSU, he had 91 receptions for 1,394 yards and six touchdowns. But a back injury after his sophomore season that required surgery limited Abram to 26 receptions for 374 yards and two touchdowns in 1999. He still ranks ninth among LSU receivers for the most career receptions.
Abram said the injury and a coaching change were the two underlying reasons for him leaving the LSU football program. He transferred to Valdosta State University in Georgia to finish his football career in 2000.
“[The injury] hindered me my junior year,” Abram said. “I was a little affected with that, and that was the same year [Gerry] Dinardo got fired. Coach Saban came in and I had a difference of opinion with their staff.”
That injury also kept Abram from playing with his brother Josh Booty in 1999 – the only season both brothers played for LSU.
“The first year he got here we were losing,” Abram said. “It wasn’t as great as we thought it would be, but playing together was still a good experience.”
Abram’s father Johnny Booty also said that LSU’s offense did not favor his sons’ playing style – a sacrifice they were willing to make. While at Evangel Christian Academy in Shreveport he set a national record with 5,867 yards receiving for his high school career.
“Abram and Josh were willing to forfeit that if they were able to become part of the LSU family,” Johnny said.
Since leaving LSU, Abram has a family of his own and has tried his hand at a couple of different professions but now works for a health insurance agent in Shreveport.
Abram’s wife Amy said that she knew Abram in high school but never wanted to date him because he was a year-and-a-half younger. She said they started dating after LSU’s 1997 Independence Bowl appearance in Shreveport – both Amy and Abram’s hometown.
“We met at church through my brother-in-law who was his coach and youth minister,” Amy said.
“I went to LSU, but I was sitting a semester out. After LSU played in the Independence Bowl we started to hang out. We started dating and then before I knew it we were engaged.”
Abram also has an 18-month-old son named General Booty. Abram said General seems to have the football genes that run in the Booty family. Amy said General dons a small LSU football helmet while watching Monday Night Football.
“We have this kids football helmet and [General] runs around saying, ‘football, football, run, run,'” Amy said.
Abram took a shot at modeling in New York City. He said nature of the industry did not fit him and his lifestyle.
“With a son and a wife, I couldn’t pursue it like I wanted to,” Abram said. “Fashion and sports are two different groups of people.”
Abram also said the popular belief about him leaving football for the ministry is false. He said he does have a heart for young people and still speaks to them about living the Christian life. Currently Abram mentors teenage boys at his father’s home fellowship.
Abram said he hopes to handle his family and his profession like his role model – his father.
Abram said his father always supported him as an athlete but never put too much pressure on him.
“He was one of those dads who was always at the ball games but never got down on us,” Abram said. “You see some parents always trying to coach their children and live through their children’s sports experiences, but he never coached us unless we asked him to.”
Abram said his father set an example for him to be a good father and husband. Johnny said the example he set as a father and husband stemmed from a promise that he and his wife made before they were married.
“It was something God did for me when my wife and I were 20,” Johnny said. “We said that we’d raise a Godly family. Abram was sensitive to that. People at LSU will probably remember that he was a great kid. Christ became a huge part of all of our lives. We wanted to have a practical walk but not real regimented and religious looking. We wanted to have that while throwing the football or in whatever we did.”
Abram said Jack Marruci (Director of Athletic Training) and Tommy Karam (Academic Center Director of Communications) acted as father figures for him and mentored him while he was at LSU.
Marucci said their relationship began during Abram’s injury rehabilitation. He said being a trainer allows you to form relationships with athletes outside of football, and Abram was a special person.
“I guess the relationship between trainers and athletes is unique because we talk about anything from girlfriends to world affairs,” Marucci said. “He’s a good, laid-back guy and takes everything in stride. If something ever happened bad, he looked at the good side.”
Abram and Karam shared common values and morals that drew the two together into a long-lasting friendship.
“We had a very genuine relationship and a very sincere friendship,” Karam said. “His genuine heart and his sincerity about wanting to do right is a treasure to me.”