Efe Obada had 4.0 . Obada had to quarantine 14 days when he arrived in London and another 14 days when he returned to Charlotte. I dont think you can ever have a comfort level in the NFL," Obada said. We talk in the morning, before I go to bed, during my break, just to make sure shes OK. Ive been very blessed. New league weeks start every Thursday with TNF kickoff. CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- It was early March and the clock was ticking. Commanders. He seemed to look forward to the walk.". Washington upgraded Obada (finger) on Saturday, meaning he'll be available for Sunday's game versus the Giants. It was tough," Obada said of his decision. Were trying to carve out and find a great role for him where he can make an impact on the game. Panthers defensive lineman Efe Obada "looks like he stepped off a cover of a Marvel comic," said trainer Ryan Hoover, who worked with Obada this offseason. Hes the kind of guy that helps you have a good defense. Obada had to quarantine 14 days when he arrived in London and another 14 days when he returned to Charlotte. It made her smile in her heart. They were a reminder of how far hed come from the streets of London. What will define Eric Bieniemy's success? They kept him because they believe after bulking up 10 pounds to 275 he can play tackle as well as end, where he has played almost exclusively. NFL draft questions for teams in the top 10: Will the Colts trade up? Its hard work. CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- It was early March and the clock was ticking. Efe Obada was born on 13 April 1992 in . Every moment I can," he said of the frequency of those calls. He doesnt have a long contract the way a lot of players have, and he got a late start to this. "It's nice because it shows the game is growing. On July 28, 2016, he was signed by the Atlanta Falcons. Were trying to carve out and find a great role for him where he can make an impact on the game. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, More than 25 years experience covering NFL, college football and NASCAR. I dont think you can ever have a comfort level in the NFL," Obada said. Football became the family's way out six years ago when Obada, at age 22, went with a friend to a semipro team practice, and the rest was history. Efe Obada is a married man. Football became the family's way out six years ago when Obada, at age 22, went with a friend to a semipro team practice, and the rest was history. Honestly, tough. Im sure other people are in much worse situations. Will the Dolphins get a veteran QB? Every year you have to keep proving yourself. Wiki, Biography, Age, Sydney Nurse Stabbing Case, Who is Xavior Harrelson? At 30 years old, Efe Obada height is 1.98 m . Hoover quickly found out the 6-foot-6 Obada has a heart to match his size, particularly when he talked about his wife and London. The, Who is Xavior Harrelson? Panthers defensive lineman Efe Obada "looks like he stepped off a cover of a Marvel comic," said trainer Ryan Hoover, who worked with Obada this offseason. Thomas E. Grafton is a 37-years-old man from Greenwood Lake. Efe Obada is widely recognized as one of the most prominent figures in the National Football League (NFL). NFL draft questions for teams in the top 10: Will the Colts trade up? He tells BBC. Story, An acquaintance persuaded Obada, trafficked as a child, to come to a semipro practice. He and his sister were abandoned by their mother at a young age. Short called Hoover's techniques one of the hardest workouts he has ever done because he uses muscles he hadnt before. NFL draft questions for teams in the top 10: Will the Colts trade up? What will define Eric Bieniemy's success? Five years later, he returned to play in London as an NFL defensive end. On October 7, he was released to make room for linebacker Keith Smith. He understands the pro football life is a relatively small window, and hes trying to make the most of it," said Ryan Hoover, a martial arts expert who began working with Obada during the offseason. I always knew when we were getting a good work in because around the second segment, hed take off his shirt," Hoover said with a laugh. That didnt stop him. ", It's not too late to play with friends and family. Caldwell: Done seeking NFL head-coaching jobs, Brother: Carr free agency will be 'long process', Panthers hire ex-Rams coach Brown as new OC. Obada was introduced to Hoover by Carolina defensive tackle Kawann Short. They were a reminder of how far hed come from the streets of London. Obada was humbled by Rhules words, but that shouldnt come as a surprise. Obada got a chance to visit London earlier this summer when the Panthers and NFL pulled a few strings. It came at a cost. The shoulders of the 5-foot-7 Hoover took a beating during punching drills with Obada. Every session you have to prove yourself. They were a reminder of how far hed come from the streets of London. On January 6, 2020, Obada signed a one-year contract extension with the Panthers. I have the means to put her in a situation where shes safe. Honestly, tough. If he stayed, it could have been indefinite because of an impending travel ban caused by the coronavirus. He has been with his wife through thick and thin. With coaching staff in place, what's next for Carolina Panthers? It was tough," Obada said of his decision. Your essential guide to Super Bowl 57 as the Kansas City Chiefs face the Philadelphia Eagles in Arizona for the NFL championship. To me, he looks like he stepped off a cover of a Marvel comic." I dont think you can ever have a comfort level in the NFL," Obada said. Please wear a mask & socially distance even if you're not at risk. The latter he joked about on Twitter, writing how he was wearing the same pair of free socks he got on the airplane and his jersey because I forgot to do laundry.". Teams do give you a gym programme but I tweak it based on what I need, so I was definitely in shape. Not a lot of people have the option to say, Im going to opt out or not be a part of something. They have to go to work. Start a rebuild? Efe Obada of the Buffalo Bills after the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Highmark Stadium on January 02, 2022 in Orchard Park, New York. Obada got a chance to visit London earlier this summer when the Panthers and NFL pulled a few strings. Ron Rivera gave Efe Obada his NFL break. Obada got a chance to visit London earlier this summer when the Panthers and NFL pulled a few strings. (Photo by Alex Burstow/Getty Images) Any English Primer League fan knows that if Manchester City was a baseball team, they'd be more similar to the New York Yankees or Boston Red Sox as opposed to the Pittsburgh Pirates or Baltimore Orioles. Hes a really good player," Rhule said. Can the Lions fix their defense? If his wife cant join him, Obada will adjust as he has to every obstacle in life. Until things, somehow, got worse. Complicating the situation further: His wife has a systemic autoimmune disorder that makes her more susceptible to COVID-19. Returning to the United States during a pandemic is just another chapter. Wiki, Biography, Age, Wives, Net Worth, Who Is Natalie Brothwell? He doesnt have a long contract the way a lot of players have, and he got a late start to this. Efe Obada played 17 games last season and 69 games over his career. We placed 16 NFL free agent running backs into five tiers: Who deserves a big deal? We placed 16 NFL free agent running backs into five tiers: Who deserves a big deal? Please wear a mask & socially distance even if you're not at risk. He lives in a house on Lake Drive that has been owned by a relative since 2001. In heat that could surpass 90 degrees, Obada would always make the 15-minute walk to Hoover's home instead of accepting a ride. Hes the kind of guy that helps you have a good defense. They were homeless in London, then shuffled between 10 foster homes. Hell continue with the daily FaceTime calls that have made the separation somewhat tolerable. Im sure other people are in much worse situations. I was so chuffed.". Obada's amazing journey to the NFL has been well documented. More than 25 years experience covering NFL, college football and NASCAR. Or people give me that 'in between stare' because they think they know me, or that I must be something because of my size.". Born in Nigeria and raised in the UK, he joined the Bills on a one-year deal this past offseason.. Obada first made his way into the league by way of the International Pathway Program, playing for the London Warriors before making the leap across the pond to spend the first few years of his NFL career with the . "I'm getting spotted more and more now. You could tell thats taken its toll, not being able to go when he wanted to go.". They were a reminder of how far hed come from the streets of London. 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. Every break, every opportunity. Honestly, I think this is easy for him because of all he went through as a child," Hoover said. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, More than 25 years experience covering NFL, college football and NASCAR. 1 pick: What could the Bears get to move down? CHARLOTTE Efe Obada's story of perseverance has left his Panthers teammates and coaches in awe, . ", It's not too late to play with friends and family. She has an autoimmune disease and is shielding. But one name stood out - the "Greatest Of All Time", Tom Brady of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He has been that way since arriving, appreciative of the opportunity former Carolina coach Ron Rivera gave him. Not a lot of people have the option to say, Im going to opt out or not be a part of something. They have to go to work. That further complicated how he could train before camp. Predicting the 2023 starting QB for all 32 NFL teams, from the locks to the wild cards. I'd come back and nobody knew me. hen Efe Obada, a Nigerian-born and United Kingdom-raised athlete, first got into football, coaches tried him at tight end. It came at a cost. They kept him because they believe after bulking up 10 pounds to 275 he can play tackle as well as end, where he has played almost exclusively. We talk in the morning, before I go to bed, during my break, just to make sure shes OK. Ive been very blessed. In the space of nine games, he sacked five of the modern era's best quarterbacks, including Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers. The Carolina Panthers locked up defensive end Efe Obada to a one-year contract extension on Monday. How Football Saved Efe ObadaAn acquaintance persuaded Obada, trafficked as a child, to come to a semipro practice. He was a big advocate of the league playing this year. Carolina Panthers defensive lineman Efe Obada had to decide quickly whether to leave his home in London and return to the United States so he could begin training for the 2020 football season. Obada's amazing journey to the NFL has been well documented. Caldwell: Done seeking NFL head-coaching jobs, Brother: Carr free agency will be 'long process', Panthers hire ex-Rams coach Brown as new OC. Five years later, he returned to play in London as an NFL defensive end. Plans are in the works for his wife to join him in Charlotte in time for the regular season, if not to attend games but to be there when Obada gets home. We talk in the morning, before I go to bed, during my break, just to make sure shes OK. Ive been very blessed. August 8, 2022 at 3:42 p.m. EDT. For me, regardless of a new coaching staff, I work hard. Can the Lions fix their defense? Obada leaned on his wife, whose name he prefers . I dont want to feel like my success was based on [my last] coach. If we can go on a little winning streak, we can close that gap. First-year Panthers coach Matt Rhule and general manager Marty Hurney didnt decide to re-sign Obada in January to a one-year, $750,000 deal because of his personal story. They were victims of human trafficking, traveling from Nigeria to the Netherlands and ultimately to London. Story. New league weeks start every Thursday with TNF kickoff. I dont want to feel like my success was based on [my last] coach. Its such a revolving door. He was a big advocate of the league playing this year. Can the Lions fix their defense? The shoulders of the 5-foot-7 Hoover took a beating during punching drills with Obada. New league weeks start every Thursday with TNF kickoff. They were homeless in London, then shuffled between 10 foster homes. Not a lot of people have the option to say, Im going to opt out or not be a part of something. They have to go to work. Its hard work. We placed 16 NFL free agent running backs into five tiers: Who deserves a big deal? He discovered Obada stopped to talk to them, share his infectious smile with them. He and his sister were abandoned by their mother at a young age. "I feel like week to week I'm getting stronger. "I didn't know how huge it was until I got back to the locker room and my phone was just blowing up with people saying: 'You just sacked Tom Brady!' Obada describes his wife as "his rock" - she has been beside him for much of his journey to the NFL from being abandoned in London after he was trafficked into the UK as a child. With coaching staff in place, what's next for Carolina Panthers? He understands the pro football life is a relatively small window, and hes trying to make the most of it," said Ryan Hoover, a martial arts expert who began working with Obada during the offseason. Caldwell: Done seeking NFL head-coaching jobs, Brother: Carr free agency will be 'long process', Panthers hire ex-Rams coach Brown as new OC. Complicating the situation further: His wife has a systemic autoimmune disorder that makes her more susceptible to COVID-19. On May 25, 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. His wife, however, stayed behind. The defensive lineman joins Buffalo after a 2020 campaign that saw him record 5.5 sacks, 15 quarterback hits . Hell continue with the daily FaceTime calls that have made the separation somewhat tolerable. Ultimately, Obada chose to return to Charlotte, North Carolina, to continue his pursuit of an NFL career he hopes will give him and his family long-term financial security. Please wear a mask & socially distance even if you're not at risk. Obada was signed by the Kansas City Chiefs on March 9, 2016. They were a reminder of how far hed come from the streets of London. Its a unique situation were in right now. But Obada, now a veteran of five NFL seasons, is frank about the costs of this most brutal, but tactically intricate of sports. Every break, every opportunity. Now, they're together in Washington. He is from Nigeria. While Braase was with the Colts they won the NFL Championship three times, in 1958, 1959 and 1968. Players the Jaguars could target We placed 16 NFL free agent running backs into five tiers: Who deserves a big deal? They kept him because they believe after bulking up 10 pounds to 275 he can play tackle as well as end, where he has played almost exclusively. At 30 years old, Efe Obada height In his almost nine-year football career, Obada has played for the London Warriors, Dallas Cowboys, Kansas City Chiefs, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Buffalo Bills, and currently the Washington Commanders. I always knew when we were getting a good work in because around the second segment, hed take off his shirt," Hoover said with a laugh.