A two-time Pro Bowl selection as an offensive tackle with the Pittsburgh Steelers, he was the first Turk to play in the National Football League (NFL).

In 1975, he was granted an athletic scholarship to Indiana State University, where he played for head coaches Tom Harp (1975–77) and Dick Jamieson;[6] a three-time All-Missouri Valley Conference pick,[7] he was chosen by the Steelers in the sixth round of the 1980 NFL draft.

[5] After retiring from football, Ilkin began appearing as a commentator and reporter on sports broadcasts in the Pittsburgh market and, nationally, worked as a game analyst for NBC during the 1995 NFL season.

Ilkin and Wolfley hosted a morning radio show called In The Locker Room with Tunch and Wolf on WBGG.

[5] Ilkin was an active supporter of the nonprofit organization Light of Life Rescue Mission,[6] a homeless shelter and addiction recovery ministry on Pittsburgh's North Side for over 30 years.

[16] A convert from Islam to Christianity,[17] Ilkin was the pastor of Men's Ministry for The Bible Chapel, a multi-site church in South Hills, Pittsburgh.

[23] Following his death, the episode of Pittsburgh Dad did about the Steelers Week 1 matchup against the Buffalo Bills did a "In memory of..." tribute to Ilkin.