Wikipedia

Efe Obada

Efe Obada (born 13 April 1992) is a British Nigerian professional American football defensive end. Obada first played professionally for the London Warriors of the BAFA National Leagues, and later played for the NFL's Dallas Cowboys, Kansas City Chiefs, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, and Buffalo Bills.

Efe Obada
refer to caption
Obada with the Washington Commanders in 2022
Personal information
Born: (1992-04-13) 13 April 1992 (age 32)
Lagos, Nigeria
Height:6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
Weight:265 lb (120 kg)
Career information
Position:Defensive end
Undrafted:2015
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career NFL statistics as of 2024
Tackles:92
Sacks:15
Pass deflections:6
Interceptions:1
Forced fumbles:1
Fumble recoveries:2
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Early life

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Obada was born on 13 April 1992, in Lagos, the economic and entertainment capital of Nigeria. He and his family later moved to the Netherlands. At the age of 10, he and his sister were trafficked into London, and were left homeless when they arrived.[1][2] They initially slept in an office block before living in 10 different foster homes.[1] He eventually began work as a security guard at Grace Foods in Welwyn Garden City.[3][4]

Professional career

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London Warriors

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Obada signed with the London Warriors of the BAFA National Leagues in 2014, where he played in five games as a tight end and defensive end.[5]

Dallas Cowboys

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Based on a recommendation from Warriors defensive coordinator Aden Durde, who previously served as an intern coach with the Dallas Cowboys, Obada was given the opportunity to work out for the team days before the Cowboys' game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in London. Although he did not have much experience, he was signed on 1 April 2015. In rookie mini-camp, he was tried on the first days at tight end, before the team decided to move him to defensive end, where the learning curve would not be as steep. He was waived on 5 September.[6] On 23 September 2015, he was signed to the Cowboys' practice squad.[7] He was released on 7 October but rejoined the practice squad on 2 December.[8][9] He was waived on 2 March 2016.[10]

Kansas City Chiefs

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Obada was signed by the Kansas City Chiefs on 9 March 2016.[11] He was released by the team on 7 June.[12]

Atlanta Falcons

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On 28 July 2016, he was signed by the Atlanta Falcons.[13] He was waived on 27 August.[14]

Carolina Panthers

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Obada with the Carolina Panthers in 2019

On 25 May 2017, Obada was signed by the Carolina Panthers through the NFL's International Player Pathway Program.[15] He was waived by the Panthers on 1 September 2017, and was re-signed to the practice squad.[16][17] He signed a reserve/future contract with the Panthers on 8 January 2018.[18] After a strong preseason, Obada became the first player from the NFL International Player Pathway program to make a 53-man roster. In Week 3, against the Cincinnati Bengals, Obada played his first regular season game, where he had one sack and one interception. He was later awarded the game ball, and was named the NFC Defensive Player of the Week.[19] He finished the season with eight combined tackles and two sacks.

On 23 January 2019, Obada signed a one-year contract extension with the Panthers.[20] On 13 October 2019, Obada was made an honorary captain for the Panthers' NFL London Game vs. the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as part of a very emotional day for him.[21] On 6 January 2020, Obada signed a one-year contract extension with the Panthers.[22] He was waived on 6 September 2020,[23] but re-signed with the team the next day.[24] In Week 3 of the 2020 season against the Los Angeles Chargers, Obada recovered a fumble lost by wide receiver Keenan Allen on the last play of the game to secure a 21–16 win for the Panthers.[25]

Buffalo Bills

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On 19 April 2021, Obada signed a one-year deal with the Buffalo Bills.[26][27] He recorded 3.5 sacks with 12 tackles in 10 games.[28]

Washington Commanders

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Obada signed a one-year deal with the Washington Commanders on 23 March 2022.[29] He re-signed with the team on another one-year contract on 20 March 2023.[30] On 31 August 2023, he was placed on injured reserve due to a knee injury.[31][32] He was reactivated to the active roster on 14 October 2023.[33] In the Week 11 game, Obada was carted off the field due to multiple leg fractures and underwent surgery the next day.[34] On 20 November 2023, he was placed on injured reserve .[35]

On 14 March 2024, Obada re-signed with the Commanders on another one-year contract.[36] He placed on physically unable to perform before the season opener and was activated on 12 October 2024.[37] Obada was released on 5 November 2024, and re-signed with their practice squad the following day.[38]

NFL career statistics

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Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
GP GS Cmb Solo Ast Sck Int Yds Avg Lng TD PD FF FR Yds TD
2018 CAR 10 0 8 6 2 2 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0
2019 CAR 16 0 24 14 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
2020 CAR 16 1 18 10 8 5.5 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 54 0
2021 BUF 10 1 12 8 4 3.5 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
2022 WAS 17 1 24 14 10 4 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0
2023 WAS 3 0 2 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Career 72 3 88 53 35 15 1 0 0 0 0 6 1 2 54 0

References

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  1. ^ a b "Efe Obada: The NFL star abandoned on London's streets at age of 10". BBC Sport. 4 April 2019. Archived from the original on 6 April 2019. Retrieved 5 April 2019.
  2. ^ "NFL: Efe Obada makes dream start to NFL career with Carolina Panthers". BBC Sport. 24 September 2018. Archived from the original on 8 October 2018. Retrieved 8 October 2018.
  3. ^ "Cowboys sign British warehouse worker to play defensive end · The42". the42.ie. Archived from the original on 9 April 2015. Retrieved 3 April 2015.
  4. ^ "From homelessness in London to the Dallas Cowboys: Efe Obada's remarkable journey | Sport | The Guardian". theguardian.com. 2 April 2015. Archived from the original on 3 April 2015. Retrieved 3 April 2015.
  5. ^ Coles, Ben (8 September 2018). "The astonishing journey of Efe Obada - the refugee abandoned in London as a child now playing in the NFL". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Archived from the original on 9 October 2018. Retrieved 8 October 2018.
  6. ^ Helman, David (5 September 2015). "Vaughan, Showers Among Notable Cuts As Cowboys Meet 53-Man Roster Limit". DallasCowboys.com. Archived from the original on 6 August 2017. Retrieved 30 September 2015.
  7. ^ Helman, David (23 September 2015). "Cowboys Promote Kellen Moore To Active Roster, Sign Efe Obada To Practice Squad". DallasCowboys.com. Archived from the original on 1 October 2015. Retrieved 30 September 2015.
  8. ^ Brandon George [@@DMN_George] (7 October 2015). "Yes, the Cowboys released Efe Obada from their practice squad Wednesday and signed LB Keith Smith" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  9. ^ "Cowboys Promote Kellen Moore To Active Roster, Sign Efe Obada To Practice Squad". DallasCowboys.com. Archived from the original on 13 November 2015. Retrieved 3 December 2015.
  10. ^ "Dallas Cowboys waive DE Efe Obada, WR Donte Foster". 24/7 Sports. Retrieved 8 October 2018.
  11. ^ "London's Efe Obada signed by the Kansas City Chiefs". NFLUK.com. Archived from the original on 3 April 2016. Retrieved 5 April 2016.
  12. ^ "EFE OBADA". foxsports.com. Archived from the original on 16 August 2016. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
  13. ^ "Falcons Sign DE Obada, Waived WR Johnson". atlantafalcons.com. 28 July 2016. Archived from the original on 28 July 2016. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
  14. ^ "Atlanta Falcons cut Sean Renfree, their No. 2 quarterback last season". AtlantaFalcons.com. Archived from the original on 28 August 2016. Retrieved 26 August 2016.
  15. ^ "Panthers awarded international player". Panthers.com. Retrieved 28 August 2022.
  16. ^ Strickland, Bryan (1 September 2017). "Panthers reduce roster to 77". Panthers.com. Archived from the original on 20 September 2017.
  17. ^ Voth, Bill (3 September 2017). "Panthers sign 10 players to practice squad". Panthers.com. Archived from the original on 13 March 2018.
  18. ^ Strickland, Bryan (8 January 2018). "Notes: Jonathan Stewart among vets vested in returning". Panthers.com. Archived from the original on 9 January 2018. Retrieved 9 January 2018.
  19. ^ Bergman, Jeremy (26 September 2018). "Big Ben, Drew Brees among NFL Players of the Week". NFL.com. Archived from the original on 2 October 2018. Retrieved 30 September 2018.
  20. ^ Strickland, Bryan (23 January 2019). "Efe Obada signs one-year contract". Panthers.com. Archived from the original on 24 January 2019. Retrieved 24 January 2019.
  21. ^ Associated Press (13 October 2019). "McCaffrey scores 2 TDs to lead Panthers past Bucs 37-26". WCNC.com. Retrieved 13 October 2019.
  22. ^ Henson, Max (6 January 2020). "Efe Obada signs one-year contract extension". Panthers.com. Retrieved 7 January 2020.
  23. ^ Simmons, Myles (6 September 2020). "Panthers claim three players off waivers". Panthers.com. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
  24. ^ Simmons, Myles (7 September 2020). "Panthers re-sign Efe Obada, place Eli Apple on reserve/injured". Panthers.com. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
  25. ^ "Carolina Panthers at Los Angeles Chargers - September 27th, 2020". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 28 September 2020.
  26. ^ Glab, Maddy (24 March 2021). "Bills agree to terms with Efe Obada". BuffaloBills.com. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
  27. ^ "2021 NFL Transactions: Signings – April". NFL.com. Retrieved 19 April 2021.
  28. ^ "Efe Obada 2021 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
  29. ^ Washington Commanders Public Relations (23 March 2022). "Commanders sign DE Efe Obada". Commanders.com. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
  30. ^ Malchow, Alex (23 March 2023). "NFL: Washington Commanders re-sign DE Efe Obada". americanfootballinternational.com. Retrieved 24 March 2023.
  31. ^ "Commanders sign LB Jabril Cox to practice squad amid several roster moves". Commanders.com. 31 August 2023. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
  32. ^ Marrero, Nathaniel (2 September 2023). "Commanders Defensive Depth Being Tested Early". SI.com. Retrieved 3 September 2023.
  33. ^ Selby, Zach (14 October 2023). "Commanders activate DE Efe Obada from Injured Reserve". Commanders.com. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
  34. ^ "Commanders DE Efe Obada had surgery on multiple leg fractures". NBC Sports. 20 November 2023. Retrieved 20 November 2023.
  35. ^ Selby, Zach (20 November 2023). "Commanders sign DE Jalen Harris, place DL Efe Obada on IR". Commanders.com. Retrieved 22 November 2023.
  36. ^ "Commanders re-sign Efe Obada". Commanders.com. 14 March 2024. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
  37. ^ "Commanders' Efe Obada: Lifted from reserve/PUP list". CBS Sports. RotoWire. Retrieved 13 October 2024.
  38. ^ Williams, Charean. "Commanders release DE Efe Obada to make room for Marshon Lattimore". Pro Football Talk. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
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