Efe Obada

Efe Obada (born April 13, 1992) is a Nigerian-British professional American football defensive end for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League (NFL). He did not play college football as he was born in Nigeria and grew up in the United Kingdom, where he became the first international player to go straight from an American football European league to the NFL.

Efe Obada
Obada in 2018
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:265 lb (120 kg)
Career information
Undrafted:2015
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Roster status:Active
Career NFL statistics as of 2019
Total tackles:32
Sacks:2
Forced fumbles:0
Fumble recoveries:0
Interceptions:1
Pass deflections:3
Player stats at NFL.com
Player stats at PFR

Early years

At the age of 10, Obada and his sister were trafficked from the Netherlands (where they moved from Nigeria at the age of 8) into England and left homeless as soon as they arrived in London.[1][2] They initially slept rough, then in an office block, then with a family friend, before living in 10 different foster homes.[1] He eventually worked as a security guard at Grace Foods in Welwyn Garden City.[3][4]

In 2014, Obada began playing for the London Warriors of the British American Football Association National Leagues.[5] 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 work out 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.[6] On September 23, he was signed to the Cowboys' practice squad.[7] On October 7, he was released to make room for linebacker Keith Smith.[8] On December 2, he was re-signed to the practice squad.[9] He was waived on March 2, 2016.[10]

Kansas City Chiefs

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

Atlanta Falcons

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

Carolina Panthers

On May 25, 2017, Obada was signed by the Carolina Panthers,[15] 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),[16] 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.[17][18] He signed a reserve/future contract with the Panthers on January 8, 2018.[19]

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.[20] He finished the season with eight combined tackles and two sacks.

On January 23, 2019, Obada signed a one-year contract extension with the Panthers.[21] On October 13, 2019, Obada was made an honorary captain for the Panther's NFL London Game vs. the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as part of an emotional day for him.[22] On January 6, 2020, Obada signed a one-year contract extension with the Panthers.[23]

Career statistics
Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
GPGSCombSoloAstSackIntYardsAvgLngTDPDFFFRYardsTD
2018CAR 1008622.0100.00020000
2019CAR 1602414100000.00010000
Career2603220122.0100.00030000

Personal life

Obada is close to his sister and his wife, and has refused to divulge any information about them.[1]

References
  1. "Efe Obada: The NFL star abandoned on London's streets at age of 10". April 4, 2019. Archived from the original on April 6, 2019. Retrieved April 5, 2019 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  2. "NFL: Efe Obada makes dream start to NFL career with Carolina Panthers". BBC Sport. September 24, 2018. Archived from the original on October 8, 2018. Retrieved October 8, 2018.
  3. "Cowboys sign British warehouse worker to play defensive end · The42". the42.ie. Archived from the original on April 9, 2015. Retrieved April 3, 2015.
  4. "From homelessness in London to the Dallas Cowboys: Efe Obada's remarkable journey | Sport | The Guardian". theguardian.com. Archived from the original on April 3, 2015. Retrieved April 3, 2015.
  5. Coles, Ben (September 8, 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 October 9, 2018. Retrieved October 8, 2018.
  6. Helman, David (September 5, 2015). "Vaughan, Showers Among Notable Cuts As Cowboys Meet 53-Man Roster Limit". DallasCowboys.com. Archived from the original on August 6, 2017. Retrieved September 30, 2015.
  7. Helman, David (September 23, 2015). "Cowboys Promote Kellen Moore To Active Roster, Sign Efe Obada To Practice Squad". DallasCowboys.com. Archived from the original on October 1, 2015. Retrieved September 30, 2015.
  8. Brandon George [@@DMN_George] (October 7, 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 November 13, 2015. Retrieved December 3, 2015.
  10. "Dallas Cowboys waive DE Efe Obada, WR Donte Foster". 24/7 Sports. Retrieved October 8, 2018.
  11. "London's Efe Obada signed by the Kansas City Chiefs". NFLUK.com. Archived from the original on April 3, 2016. Retrieved April 5, 2016.
  12. "EFE OBADA". foxsports.com. Archived from the original on August 16, 2016. Retrieved July 28, 2016.
  13. "Falcons Sign DE Obada, Waived WR Johnson". atlantafalcons.com. July 28, 2016. Archived from the original on July 28, 2016. Retrieved July 28, 2016.
  14. "Atlanta Falcons cut Sean Renfree, their No. 2 quarterback last season". AtlantaFalcons.com. Archived from the original on August 28, 2016. Retrieved August 26, 2016.
  15. "NFL UK- NFL.com". www.nfl.com. Archived from the original on April 6, 2019. Retrieved April 5, 2019.
  16. "Home - NFL Players Community". players.nfl.com. Archived from the original on March 26, 2019. Retrieved April 5, 2019.
  17. Strickland, Bryan (September 1, 2017). "Panthers reduce roster to 77". Panthers.com. Archived from the original on September 20, 2017.
  18. Voth, Bill (September 3, 2017). "Panthers sign 10 players to practice squad". Panthers.com. Archived from the original on March 13, 2018.
  19. Strickland, Bryan (January 8, 2018). "Notes: Jonathan Stewart among vets vested in returning". Panthers.com. Archived from the original on January 9, 2018. Retrieved January 9, 2018.
  20. Bergman, Jeremy (September 26, 2018). "Big Ben, Drew Brees among NFL Players of the Week". NFL.com. Archived from the original on October 2, 2018. Retrieved September 30, 2018.
  21. Strickland, Bryan (January 23, 2019). "Efe Obada signs one-year contract". Panthers.com. Archived from the original on January 24, 2019. Retrieved January 24, 2019.
  22. Associated Press (October 13, 2019). "McCaffrey scores 2 TDs to lead Panthers past Bucs 37-26". WCNC.com. Retrieved October 13, 2019.
  23. Henson, Max (January 6, 2020). "Efe Obada signs one-year contract extension". Panthers.com. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
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