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WSU's performance in the Apple Cup didn't inspire a lot of confidence in the program after the team appeared to lack energy for large parts of the game. Former Cougar safety Hamza Abdullah was among those who took notice and he tweeted some of his opinions on the state of the program on Tuesday.
The problem with Washington State Football is the lack of Cougar Pride.
— Hamza Abdullah (@HamzaAbdullah21) December 9, 2014
Watching the Apple Cup made me sick to my stomach. It's like we didn't even care. It was just another game.
— Hamza Abdullah (@HamzaAbdullah21) December 9, 2014
Abdullah said he's not around the team enough, but is going off of how he sees the Cougars play. He questioned whether the current players understand what Cougar pride is and who is around the program to show them. Jason Gesser is among the former players involved in the athletic department, but Abdullah isn't convinced Gesser has been put into a substantial enough role.
I thought Jason Gesser coming back to Pullman would help in that, but it seems like we're not using him at all. That doesn't make any sense.
— Hamza Abdullah (@HamzaAbdullah21) December 9, 2014
Gesser needs to have an expanded role with the team and we need more COUGS in the building.
— Hamza Abdullah (@HamzaAbdullah21) December 9, 2014
I think we need to get more Cougs involved and allow Jason Gesser to be a leader and show the team what Cougar Pride is.
— Hamza Abdullah (@HamzaAbdullah21) December 9, 2014
So what's the solution? Abdullah said he isn't a proponent of firing anyone, but instead adding more people around the program who the players respect and trust. That could possibly mean Abdullah himself.
We understood what it meant 2 put that Gray helmet on. To wear the Cougar logo and to represent for everyone who's ever worn the Cougar logo
— Hamza Abdullah (@HamzaAbdullah21) December 9, 2014
I'm saying this because I care, just as everyone else does. I'm not a guy to sit back and complain, I want to help in anyway I can.
— Hamza Abdullah (@HamzaAbdullah21) December 9, 2014