# Efe Obada

Efe Obada (born 13 April 1992) is a British Nigerian professional American football defensive end. Obada first played professionally for the London Warriors of the BAFA National Leagues, and later played for the NFL's Dallas Cowboys, Kansas City Chiefs, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, and Buffalo Bills.

## Early life

Obada was born on 13 April 1992, in Lagos, the economic and entertainment capital of Nigeria. He and his family later moved to the Netherlands. At the age of 10, he and his sister were trafficked into London, and were left homeless when they arrived. They initially slept in an office block before living in 10 different foster homes. He eventually began work as a security guard at Grace Foods in Welwyn Garden City.

## 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.

### 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 1 April 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 5 September. On 23 September 2015, he was signed to the Cowboys' practice squad. He was released on 7 October but rejoined the practice squad on 2 December. He was waived on 2 March 2016.

### Kansas City Chiefs

Obada was signed by the Kansas City Chiefs on 9 March 2016. He was released by the team on 7 June.

### Atlanta Falcons

On 28 July 2016, he was signed by the Atlanta Falcons. He was waived on 27 August.

### Carolina Panthers

On 25 May 2017, Obada was signed by the Carolina Panthers through the NFL's International Player Pathway Program. He was waived by the Panthers on 1 September 2017, and was re-signed to the practice squad. He signed a reserve/future contract with the Panthers on 8 January 2018. 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. He finished the season with eight combined tackles and two sacks.
On 23 January 2019, Obada signed a one-year contract extension with the Panthers. On 13 October 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. On 6 January 2020, Obada signed a one-year contract extension with the Panthers. He was waived on 6 September 2020, but re-signed with the team the next day. 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.

### Buffalo Bills

On 19 April 2021, Obada signed a one-year deal with the Buffalo Bills. He recorded 3.5 sacks with 12 tackles in 10 games.

### Washington Commanders

Obada signed a one-year deal with the Washington Commanders on 23 March 2022. He re-signed with the team on another one-year contract on 20 March 2023. On 31 August 2023, he was placed on injured reserve due to a knee injury. He was reactivated to the active roster on 14 October 2023. In the Week 11 game, Obada was carted off the field due to multiple leg fractures and underwent surgery the next day. On 20 November 2023, he was placed on injured reserve .
On 14 March 2024, Obada re-signed with the Commanders on another one-year contract. He placed on physically unable to perform before the season opener and was activated on 12 October 2024. Obada was released on 5 November 2024, and re-signed with their practice squad the following day.

## NFL career statistics

| Year | Team | Games | Games | Tackles | Tackles | Tackles | Tackles | Interceptions | Interceptions | Interceptions | Interceptions | Interceptions | Interceptions | Fumbles | Fumbles | Fumbles | Fumbles |
| Year | Team | GP | GS | Cmb | Solo | Ast | Sck | Int | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | PD | FF | FR | Yds | TD |
| 2018 | CAR | 10 | 0 | 8 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | CAR | 16 | 0 | 24 | 14 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | CAR | 16 | 1 | 18 | 10 | 8 | 5.5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 54 | 0 |
| 2021 | BUF | 10 | 1 | 12 | 8 | 4 | 3.5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | WAS | 17 | 1 | 24 | 14 | 10 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | WAS | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Career | Career | 72 | 3 | 88 | 53 | 35 | 15 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 54 | 0 |