Efe Obada

Efe Obada
No. 94 – Carolina Panthers
Position: Defensive end
Personal information
Born: (1992-04-13) April 13, 1992
Nigeria
Height: 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
Weight: 255 lb (116 kg)
Career information
College: Kingston University London
Undrafted: 2015
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Roster status: Active
Career NFL statistics as of Week 3, 2018
Total tackles: 1
Sacks: 1.0
Forced fumbles: 0
Fumble recoveries: 0
Interceptions: 1
Player stats at NFL.com
Player stats at PFR

Efe Obada (born April 13, 1992) is a Nigerian-born, English American football defensive end for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League (NFL). He did not play college football and became the first international player to go straight from an American football European league to the NFL.

Early years

At the age of 10, Obada and his sister were trafficked from the Netherlands into England and left homeless as soon as they arrived in London.[1] They lived with a family friend for five years, but because she already had five children of her own, they were sent to social services, who moved them from one family to another. He eventually worked as a security guard at Grace Foods in Welwyn Garden City.[2][3]

In 2014, Obada began playing for the London Warriors of the British American Football Association National Leagues.[4] He appeared in 5 games, while playing tight end and defensive end.

Professional career

Dallas Cowboys

Based on a recommendation from Warriors defensive coordinator Aden Durde, who previously served as an intern coach with the Dallas Cowboys in 2014, Obada was given the opportunity to workout for the team days before their game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in London. Although he was raw and didn't have much experience, he was signed as an undrafted free agent on April 1, 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 September 5.[5] On September 23, he was signed to the Cowboys' practice squad.[6] On October 7, he was released to make room for linebacker Keith Smith.[7] On December 2, he was re-signed to the practice squad.[8] He was waived on March 2, 2016.[9]

Kansas City Chiefs

Obada was signed by the Kansas City Chiefs on March 9, 2016.[10] He was released by the team on June 7.[11]

Atlanta Falcons

On July 28, 2016, he was signed by the Atlanta Falcons.[12] He was waived on August 27.[13]

Carolina Panthers

On May 25, 2017, Obada was signed by the Carolina Panthers,[14] through the new NFL's International Player Pathway program, that guaranteed him a position on the team, after it granted an 11th practice squad slot to all four NFC South clubs,(the division was selected in a random draw)[15] so they could sign an international player. As part of the program conditions, he was ineligible to be promoted to the 53-man roster during the regular season. He was waived by the Panthers on September 1, 2017, and was re-signed to the practice squad.[16][17] He signed a reserve/future contract with the Panthers on January 8, 2018.[18]

After a strong preseason, Obada became the first player from the NFL International 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]

References

  1. ↑ "NFL: Efe Obada makes dream start to NFL career with Carolina Panthers". BBC Sport. 2018-09-24. Retrieved 2018-10-08.
  2. ↑ "Cowboys sign British warehouse worker to play defensive end · The42". the42.ie. Retrieved 2015-04-03.
  3. ↑ "From homelessness in London to the Dallas Cowboys: Efe Obada's remarkable journey | Sport | The Guardian". theguardian.com. Retrieved 2015-04-03.
  4. ↑ Coles, Ben (2018-09-08). "The astonishing journey of Efe Obada - the refugee abandoned in London as a child now playing in the NFL". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2018-10-08.
  5. ↑ Helman, David (September 5, 2015). "Vaughan, Showers Among Notable Cuts As Cowboys Meet 53-Man Roster Limit". DallasCowboys.com. Retrieved September 30, 2015.
  6. ↑ Helman, David (September 23, 2015). "Cowboys Promote Kellen Moore To Active Roster, Sign Efe Obada To Practice Squad". DallasCowboys.com. Retrieved September 30, 2015.
  7. ↑ 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.
  8. ↑ "Cowboys Promote Kellen Moore To Active Roster, Sign Efe Obada To Practice Squad". DallasCowboys.com. Retrieved 2015-12-03.
  9. ↑ "Dallas Cowboys waive DE Efe Obada, WR Donte Foster". 24/7 Sports. Retrieved 2018-10-08.
  10. ↑ "London's Efe Obada signed by the Kansas City Chiefs". NFLUK.com. Retrieved 2016-04-05.
  11. ↑ "EFE OBADA". foxsports.com. Retrieved July 28, 2016.
  12. ↑ "Falcons Sign DE Obada, Waived WR Johnson". atlantafalcons.com. July 28, 2016. Retrieved July 28, 2016.
  13. ↑ "Atlanta Falcons cut Sean Renfree, their No. 2 quarterback last season". AtlantaFalcons.com. Retrieved August 26, 2016.
  14. ↑ FOUR INTERNATIONAL PLAYERS LAND NFL PRACTICE SQUAD SPOTS
  15. ↑ http://www.nflplayerengagement.com/life/articles/ipp/
  16. ↑ Strickland, Bryan (September 1, 2017). "Panthers reduce roster to 77". Panthers.com. Archived from the original on September 20, 2017.
  17. ↑ Voth, Bill (September 3, 2017). "Panthers sign 10 players to practice squad". Panthers.com.
  18. ↑ Strickland, Bryan (January 8, 2018). "Notes: Jonathan Stewart among vets vested in returning". Panthers.com.
  19. ↑ Bergman, Jeremy (September 26, 2018). "Big Ben, Drew Brees among NFL Players of the Week". NFL.com.
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