Efe Obada

Efe Obada (born April 13, 1992) is a Nigerian-British gridiron football defensive end for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). He was raised in the Netherlands and England and was the first player to go straight from a European football league to the NFL. Obada has been a member of the London Warriors, Dallas Cowboys, Kansas City Chiefs, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, and Buffalo Bills.

Efe Obada
refer to caption
Obada with the Washington Commanders in 2022
No. 97 – Washington Commanders
Position:Defensive end
Personal information
Born: (1992-04-13) April 13, 1992
Lagos, Nigeria
Height:6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
Weight:265 lb (120 kg)
Career information
College:None
Undrafted:2015
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Roster status:Active
Career NFL statistics as of Week 7, 2023
Tackles:87
Sacks:15.0
Pass deflections:6
Interceptions:1
Forced fumbles:1
Fumble recoveries:2
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Early years

Born in Nigeria, Obada and his family later moved to the Netherlands. At the age of 10, he and his sister were trafficked into England and were left homeless as soon as they arrived in London.[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

London Warriors

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

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 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, 2015, he was signed to the Cowboys' practice squad.[7] He was released on October 7, but rejoined the practice squad on December 2.[8][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
Obada with the Carolina Panthers in 2019.

On May 25, 2017, Obada was signed by the Carolina Panthers through the NFL's International Player Pathway Program.[15] 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 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 January 23, 2019, Obada signed a one-year contract extension with the Panthers.[20] On October 13, 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 January 6, 2020, Obada signed a one-year contract extension with the Panthers.[22] He was waived on September 6, 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

On April 19, 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

Obada signed a one-year deal with the Washington Commanders on March 23, 2022.[29] He re-signed with the team on another one-year contract on March 20, 2023.[30] On August 31, 2023, he was placed on injured reserve due to a knee injury.[31][32] He was reactivated to the active roster on October 14, 2023.[33]

NFL career statistics
Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
GPGSCmbSoloAstSckIntYdsAvgLngTDPDFFFRYdsTD
2018CAR 10086221000020000
2019CAR 16024141000000010000
2020CAR 161181085.500000012540
2021BUF 10112843.50000010000
2022WAS 17124141040000020000
Career6938652341510000612540

References
  1. "Efe Obada: The NFL star abandoned on London's streets at age of 10". BBC Sport. April 4, 2019. Archived from the original on April 6, 2019. Retrieved April 5, 2019.
  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. April 2, 2015. 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. "Panthers awarded international player". Panthers.com. Retrieved August 28, 2022.
  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. Archived from the original on March 13, 2018.
  18. 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.
  19. 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.
  20. 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.
  21. Associated Press (October 13, 2019). "McCaffrey scores 2 TDs to lead Panthers past Bucs 37-26". WCNC.com. Retrieved October 13, 2019.
  22. Henson, Max (January 6, 2020). "Efe Obada signs one-year contract extension". Panthers.com. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  23. Simmons, Myles (September 6, 2020). "Panthers claim three players off waivers". Panthers.com. Retrieved September 22, 2020.
  24. Simmons, Myles (September 7, 2020). "Panthers re-sign Efe Obada, place Eli Apple on reserve/injured". Panthers.com. Retrieved September 22, 2020.
  25. "Carolina Panthers at Los Angeles Chargers - September 27th, 2020". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
  26. Glab, Maddy (March 24, 2021). "Bills agree to terms with Efe Obada". BuffaloBills.com. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
  27. "2021 NFL Transactions: Signings – April". NFL.com. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
  28. "Efe Obada 2021 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
  29. Washington Commanders Public Relations (March 23, 2022). "Commanders sign DE Efe Obada". Commanders.com. Retrieved March 23, 2022.
  30. Malchow, Alex (March 23, 2023). "NFL: Washington Commanders re-sign DE Efe Obada". americanfootballinternational.com. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
  31. "Commanders sign LB Jabril Cox to practice squad amid several roster moves". Commanders.com. August 31, 2023. Retrieved August 31, 2023.
  32. Marrero, Nathaniel (September 2, 2023). "Commanders Defensive Depth Being Tested Early". SI.com. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  33. Selby, Zach (October 14, 2023). "Commanders activate DE Efe Obada from Injured Reserve". Commanders.com. Retrieved October 14, 2023.
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