Efe Obada
| No. 43 Kansas City Chiefs | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Position: | Linebacker | ||
| Personal information | |||
| Date of birth: | April 13, 1992 | ||
| Place of birth: | Nigeria | ||
| Height: | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) | ||
| Weight: | 255 lb (116 kg) | ||
| Career information | |||
| College: | None | ||
| Undrafted: | 2015 | ||
| Career history | |||
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| * Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |||
| Career NFL statistics | |||
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| Player stats at PFR | |||
Efe Obada (born April 13, 1992) is a Nigerian football linebacker for the Kansas City Chiefs in the National Football League (NFL). He did not play college football and became the first international player to go straight from an American football European league to the NFL.
Early years
At the age of 10, Obada and his sister were trafficked from the Netherlands into England and left homeless as soon as they arrived in London. They lived with a family friend for 5 years, but because she already had five children of her own, they were sent to social services, who would moved them from one family to another. He eventually worked as a security guard at Grace Foods in Welwyn Garden City.[1][2]
In 2014, Obada began practicing American football for the London Warriors in the British American Football Association National Leagues, where 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 workout 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.[3] On September 23, he was signed to the Cowboys' practice squad.[4] On October 7, he was released to make room for linebacker Keith Smith.[5] On December 2, he was re-signed to the practice squad.[6] He was waived on March 2, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs
Obada was signed by the Kansas City Chiefs on March 11, 2016.[7]
References
- ↑ "Cowboys sign British warehouse worker to play defensive end · The42". the42.ie. Retrieved 2015-04-03.
- ↑ "From homelessness in London to the Dallas Cowboys: Efe Obada's remarkable journey | Sport | The Guardian". theguardian.com. Retrieved 2015-04-03.
- ↑ Helman, David (September 5, 2015). "Vaughan, Showers Among Notable Cuts As Cowboys Meet 53-Man Roster Limit". DallasCowboys.com. Retrieved September 30, 2015.
- ↑ Helman, David (September 23, 2015). "Cowboys Promote Kellen Moore To Active Roster, Sign Efe Obada To Practice Squad". DallasCowboys.com. Retrieved September 30, 2015.
- ↑ Brandon George [@DMN_George] (7 October 2015). "Yes, the Cowboys released Efe Obada from their practice squad Wednesday and signed LB Keith Smith." (Tweet).
- ↑ "Cowboys Promote Kellen Moore To Active Roster, Sign Efe Obada To Practice Squad". DallasCowboys.com. Retrieved 2015-12-03.
- ↑ "London's Efe Obada signed by the Kansas City Chiefs". NFLUK.com. Retrieved 2016-04-05.