Efe Obada

BIOGRAPHY

Efe Obada was born on April 13th, 1992, in Nigeria. He is a defensive end in the National Football League.

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.

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. They initially slept rough, then in an office block, then with a family friend, before living in 10 different foster homes. He eventually worked as a security guard at Grace Foods in Welwyn Garden City.

In 2014, Obada began playing for the London Warriors of the British American Football Association National Leagues. He appeared in 5 games, while playing 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 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. On September 23rd, he was signed to the Cowboys' practice squad. On October 7th, he was released to make room for linebacker Keith Smith and waived on March 2nd, 2016.

He also spent a short time with Kansas City Chiefs and Atlanta Falcons.

On May 25th, 2017, Obada was signed by the Carolina Panthers, 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), 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. He signed a reserve/future contract with the Panthers on January 8, 2018.

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

On January 23rd, 2019, Obada signed a one-year contract extension with the Panthers.

On March 24, 2021, Obada signed a one-year deal with the Buffalo Bills. Obada joined the Washington Commanders in 2023.