Abbate was named an All-American (honorable mention, Sports Illustrated) and first-team All-ACC (ACSMA, College Football News) in recognition of his performance throughout his final season during which he averaged 8.6 tackles per game.
On February 13, 2006, Abbate's 15-year-old brother, Luke, was seriously injured in a car accident on the way home from lacrosse practice, and died two days later.
During the 2006 season, Abbate and his family would hold up five fingers before the start of the fourth quarter as a tribute to Luke.
Additionally, the Abbate family created the "Five Foundation" to raise awareness among young people of the responsibilities and dangers of driving.
[3] A movie about Jon Abbate, his brother Luke, and Wake Forest's 2006 football season, entitled The 5th Quarter, was released on March 25, 2011.
[citation needed] Abbate was re-signed by the Texans again on August 24, 2008, after wide receiver Harry Williams was placed on injured reserve.
[citation needed] Abbate was on the roster of the Sacramento Mountain Lions (formerly known as the California Redwoods) for parts of the 2009 and 2010 seasons.