Efe Obada (born April 13, 1992) is a Nigerian gridiron football defensive tackle 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.
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 upon arrival in London and subsequently lived in 10 different foster homes. Obada recently told his story to the times which you can read here: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/efe-obada-i-was-trafficked-into-england-then-abandoned-american-football-saved-my-life-f8v5fnldq .
Whilst this story isn’t all he wants to be known for, he’s happy to serve as an inspiration to anyone who can relate/has struggled with a similar story and use his platform to help combat modern day slavery.
Obada’s American football career kickstarted at the London Warriors, of the BAFA National Leagues in 2014, where he played in five games as a tight end and defensive end. 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 try out for the team just days before the Cowboy’s game against Jacksonville Jaguars in London. Although he did not have much experience, he was signed on April 1, 2015.
Since then, he was briefly part of the Kansas City Chiefs, before spending a year at Atlanta Falcons. On May 25, 2017, Obada was signed by the Carolina Panthers through the NFL’s International Player Pathway Program. In 2017, after a strong preseason, Obada became the first ever player from the NFL International Player Pathway program to make a 53-man roster.
Obada went on to spend four years with the Panthers, a highlight of his tenure being made honorary captain for the Panthers’ NFL London Game vs. the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, on October 13th, 2019. Obada then joined Buffalo Bills in April 2021 on a one-year deal, and is currently at the Washington Commanders as of March 2022.
Obada is also an ambassador for the NFL UK, the NFL Academy and BIGKID Foundation.
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