Efe Obada Explained

Efe Obada
Current Team:Washington Commanders
Number:97
Position:Defensive end
Birth Date:13 April 1992
Birth Place:Lagos, Nigeria
Height Ft:6
Height In:6
Weight Lb:265
Undraftedyear:2015
Pastteams:
Status:Active/physically unable to perform
Statleague:NFL
Statseason:2023
Statlabel1:Tackles
Statvalue1:88
Statlabel2:Sacks
Statvalue2:15
Statlabel3:Pass deflections
Statvalue3:6
Statlabel4:Interceptions
Statvalue4:1
Statlabel5:Forced fumbles
Statvalue5:1
Statlabel6:Fumble recoveries
Statvalue6:2
Pfr:ObadEf00

Efe Obada (born April 13, 1992) is a British Nigerian professional American football defensive end for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). Born in Nigeria, 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 also been a member of the London Warriors, Dallas Cowboys, Kansas City Chiefs, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, and Buffalo Bills.

Early life

Born in Lagos, the capital of 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

thumb|right|200px|Obada with the Carolina Panthers in 2019On 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] In the Week 11 game, Obada was carted off the field due to multiple leg fractures and underwent surgery the next day.[34] On November 20, the Commanders placed Obada on injured reserve for the second time in the 2023 season.[35] On March 14, 2024, Obada re-signed with the Commanders on his third consecutive one-year contract.[36]

NFL career statistics

YearTeamGamesTacklesInterceptionsFumbles
GP GS Cmb Solo Ast Sck Int Yds Avg Lng TD PD FF FR Yds TD
2018 CAR10 0 8 6 2 2 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0
2019 CAR16 0 24 14 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
2020 CAR16 1 18 10 8 5.5 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 54 0
2021 BUF10 1 12 8 4 3.5 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
2022 WAS17 1 24 14 10 4 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0
2023 WAS3 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

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Efe Obada: The NFL star abandoned on London's streets at age of 10. BBC Sport . April 4, 2019. April 5, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190406003316/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/american-football/47819317. April 6, 2019. live.
  2. Web site: NFL: Efe Obada makes dream start to NFL career with Carolina Panthers . September 24, 2018 . BBC Sport . en-GB . October 8, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181008003111/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/american-football/45623810 . October 8, 2018 . live .
  3. Web site: Cowboys sign British warehouse worker to play defensive end · The42. the42.ie. April 3, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150409142335/http://www.the42.ie/dallas-cowboys-warehouse-worker-2026258-Apr2015/. April 9, 2015. live.
  4. Web site: From homelessness in London to the Dallas Cowboys: Efe Obada's remarkable journey | Sport | The Guardian. April 2, 2015 . theguardian.com. April 3, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150403033840/http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/apr/02/from-homelessness-in-london-to-the-dallas-cowboys-efe-obadas-remarkable-journey. April 3, 2015. live.
  5. News: The astonishing journey of Efe Obada - the refugee abandoned in London as a child now playing in the NFL . Coles . Ben . September 8, 2018 . The Telegraph . October 8, 2018 . en-GB . 0307-1235 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181009013335/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/american-football/2018/09/08/astonishing-journey-efe-obada-refugee-abandoned-london-child/ . October 9, 2018 . live .
  6. Web site: Vaughan, Showers Among Notable Cuts As Cowboys Meet 53-Man Roster Limit . https://web.archive.org/web/20170806020247/http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/2015/09/05/vaughan-showers-among-notable-cuts-cowboys-meet-53-man-roster-limit . dead . August 6, 2017 . Helman . David . September 5, 2015 . DallasCowboys.com . September 30, 2015.
  7. Web site: Cowboys Promote Kellen Moore To Active Roster, Sign Efe Obada To Practice Squad . Helman . David . September 23, 2015 . DallasCowboys.com . September 30, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20151001140225/http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/2015/09/23/cowboys-promote-kellen-moore-active-roster-sign-efe-obada-practice-squad . October 1, 2015 . live .
  8. @DMN_George . Brandon George . 651862132120666112 . October 7, 2015 . Yes, the Cowboys released Efe Obada from their practice squad Wednesday and signed LB Keith Smith. .
  9. Web site: Cowboys Promote Kellen Moore To Active Roster, Sign Efe Obada To Practice Squad. DallasCowboys.com. December 3, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151113034708/http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/2015/09/23/cowboys-promote-kellen-moore-active-roster-sign-efe-obada-practice-squad. November 13, 2015. live.
  10. News: Dallas Cowboys waive DE Efe Obada, WR Donte Foster . 24/7 Sports . October 8, 2018 . en-US.
  11. Web site: London's Efe Obada signed by the Kansas City Chiefs. NFLUK.com. April 5, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160403050522/http://www.nfluk.com/news/specialfeatures/article-1/Londons-Efe-Obada-signed-by-the-Kansas-City-Chiefs/4d73b2f9-a7f9-4b4c-8d62-348aef54d87f. April 3, 2016. live.
  12. Web site: EFE OBADA . foxsports.com . July 28, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160816221726/http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/efe-obada-player-transactions . August 16, 2016 . live .
  13. Web site: Falcons Sign DE Obada, Waived WR Johnson . atlantafalcons.com . July 28, 2016 . July 28, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160728213958/http://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/blog/article-1/Falcons-Sign-DE-Obada-Waived-WR-Johnson/830a97e9-7d8d-4d94-b20e-1a28911220b4 . July 28, 2016 . dead .
  14. Web site: Atlanta Falcons cut Sean Renfree, their No. 2 quarterback last season . AtlantaFalcons.com . August 26, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160828113939/http://www.espn.com/blog/nfcsouth/post/_/id/65324/atlanta-falcons-cut-sean-renfree-their-no-2-quarterback-last-season . August 28, 2016 . live .
  15. Web site: Panthers awarded international player . Panthers.com . 28 August 2022.
  16. Web site: Panthers reduce roster to 77 . Strickland . Bryan . September 1, 2017 . Panthers.com . https://web.archive.org/web/20170920201032/https://www.panthers.com/news/article-2/Panthers-trim-roster-to-53/04544b8e-4a01-4568-9141-9ed61d2d4c51 . September 20, 2017 . dead.
  17. Web site: Panthers sign 10 players to practice squad . https://web.archive.org/web/20180313143038/http://www.panthers.com/news/article-2/Panthers-sign-10-players-to-practice-squad-/13052ee8-0f44-4700-acdb-b5319bd5aff2 . dead . March 13, 2018 . Voth . Bill . September 3, 2017 . Panthers.com.
  18. Web site: Notes: Jonathan Stewart among vets vested in returning . Strickland . Bryan . January 8, 2018 . Panthers.com . January 9, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180109181244/http://www.panthers.com/news/article-2/Notes-Jonathan-Stewart-among-vets-vested-in-returning/a185b3f6-4d3e-4ecc-8c97-39bf67b4fe59 . January 9, 2018 . live .
  19. Web site: Big Ben, Drew Brees among NFL Players of the Week . Bergman . Jeremy . September 26, 2018 . NFL.com . September 30, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181002042454/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000966754/article/big-ben-drew-brees-among-nfl-players-of-the-week . October 2, 2018 . live .
  20. Web site: Efe Obada signs one-year contract . Strickland . Bryan . January 23, 2019 . Panthers.com . January 24, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190124152314/https://www.panthers.com/news/efe-obada-signs-one-year-contract . January 24, 2019 . live .
  21. Web site: McCaffrey scores 2 TDs to lead Panthers past Bucs 37-26 . Associated Press . October 13, 2019 . WCNC.com . October 13, 2019.
  22. Web site: Efe Obada signs one-year contract extension . Henson . Max . January 6, 2020 . Panthers.com . January 7, 2020.
  23. News: Simmons, Myles . Panthers claim three players off waivers . Panthers.com . September 6, 2020 . September 22, 2020.
  24. News: Simmons, Myles . Panthers re-sign Efe Obada, place Eli Apple on reserve/injured . Panthers.com . September 7, 2020 . September 22, 2020.
  25. Web site: Carolina Panthers at Los Angeles Chargers - September 27th, 2020 . September 28, 2020 . Pro-Football-Reference.com . en.
  26. Web site: Glab . Maddy . March 24, 2021 . Bills agree to terms with Efe Obada . 2023-02-25 . BuffaloBills.com.
  27. Web site: 2021 NFL Transactions: Signings – April . NFL.com . April 19, 2021.
  28. Web site: Efe Obada 2021 Game Log . 2023-02-26 . Pro-Football-Reference.com . en.
  29. Web site: Commanders sign DE Efe Obada. March 23, 2022. March 23, 2022. Commanders.com. Washington Commanders Public Relations.
  30. Web site: NFL: Washington Commanders re-sign DE Efe Obada. americanfootballinternational.com. Alex. Malchow . March 23, 2023. March 24, 2023.
  31. Web site: Commanders sign LB Jabril Cox to practice squad amid several roster moves. Commanders.com. August 31, 2023. August 31, 2023.
  32. Web site: Commanders Defensive Depth Being Tested Early. Nathaniel. Marrero. September 2, 2023. September 3, 2023. SI.com.
  33. Web site: Commanders activate DE Efe Obada from Injured Reserve. Commanders.com. October 14, 2023. October 14, 2023. Zach. Selby.
  34. Web site: 2023-11-20 . Commanders DE Efe Obada had surgery on multiple leg fractures . 2023-11-20 . NBC Sports . en-US.
  35. Web site: Commanders sign DE Jalen Harris, place DL Efe Obada on IR. Commanders.com. November 20, 2023. November 22, 2023. Zach. Selby.
  36. Web site: March 14, 2024 . Commanders re-sign Efe Obada . March 15, 2024 . Commanders.com.

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