Whatever obstacle life throws at Efe Obada, he seems to find a way around. He was trafficked to England aged 10, turned his back on London’s gang culture in his mid-teens and made his NFL debut for the Carolina Panthers four years after starting the sport from scratch.
It is a remarkable, unique story, but Obada is not willing to discuss his past. The future is of more pressing concern, and the 26-year-old is back in Stockwell, south London, acting as mentor and inspiration to some of the capital’s most at-risk children.
‘This is where I grew up. This is where I was running around. I see a lot of my footprints here. I see a lot of myself in some of these kids,’ says 6ft 6in Obada.
Efe Obada is now an NFL star, but he had to overcome a number of obstacles to get there
He was trafficked to London when he was 10, but turned his back on gang culture in his teens
Obada headed to the Carolina Panthers, where he has flourished under head coach Ron Rivera
‘I just want to be able to help them and show them that coming from inner-city blocks where you feel no one cares about you and no one is watching you, that you can actually achieve and make it. Regardless of whether it’s football or anything.
‘This is my way of taking that light from my story. My story is nothing compared to some of these kids. I’m just someone who’s been given a platform to talk about it.
‘If I can use my platform to inspire or motivate other people, and let them know, even subconsciously, that by chasing my dream they can achieve theirs, I’m OK with that. This is what I’m passionate about, this is what I want to do.’
Obada is a mentor with the BIGKID Foundation, a London-based charity which helps youngsters pressured by gangs, crime and deprivation, themes close to his heart.
In 2002, Obada and his older sister were trafficked by a family friend from their native Nigeria to London via Holland, in the hope of a better life. But they were deserted and left homeless. The siblings fended for themselves and eventually moved between foster homes.
In his mid-teens Obada was still undocumented and became involved with gangs, but turned his life around. He went to college and was working in a factory in Welwyn Garden City unpacking boxes.
It was a chance meeting with a friend which set Obada on his second astonishing journey: from novice to professional sportsman.
Obada recalls: ‘He was huge! Where I’m from, if you’re big you went to jail. So I was like: “Did you go to jail?” He was like: “I’m playing American football. You can come and try it out”.’
Obada recalls his journey from novice to professional player, which took just four years
Obada played five games for the London Warriors, an American football team based in Croydon.
He found a mentor in coach Aden Durde, who saw Obada’s hunger, raw ability and desire to hit people — a therapeutic way to channel his anger. Durde had links to the Dallas Cowboys, and after a workout, Obada signed for their practice squad in 2015.
‘It was intimidating. It was hard. It was a grind,’ Obada said. ‘There’s no safety net, you can be released, and I was at the bottom of the totem pole. Any decision-making affecting the team, I was always getting released, first out of the door. I got released four or five times that year, but was always brought back because of my potential.
‘I didn’t come from a sporting background. It was teaching my body how to do things and move in ways I’ve never asked it to do before.
‘I was taught to show effort — everything else is coachable. So that’s what I did.
‘I outworked everyone, made sure if I made a mistake I made it at 100mph.
‘Coaches saw the effort and were able to refine that.’
Obada was released a year later and after spells with the Kansas City Chiefs and the Atlanta Falcons, he considered moving to the Canadian league to refine his skills. But in 2017, the NFL launched the International Pathway Programme, to develop non-American players with potential. Obada headed to Carolina, where he has flourished under head coach Ron Rivera.
After his NFL debut in December, he was awarded the NFC defensive player of the week
‘I got to have a whole year in the system and not have that fear of getting released. I made the most of it knowing that the following year, I’m going to bridge that gap and try and make the team,’ said Obada, who duly made the final 53-man roster.
He made his NFL debut last September, and was key in a 31-21 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. After a sack and an interception, he was awarded the game ball and NFC defensive player of the week.
‘I had an amazing debut, but the bar was so high,’ he says of his debut season. ‘I wanted to get more playing time, but I’ve made the most of the opportunities I’ve got. I’m just grateful I’m on the team.’ Obada signed a one-year contract in January worth $570,000 and is spending the off-season between London and America improving his understanding of the game.
The 26-year-old is back in Stockwell, south London, acting as mentor and inspiration to kids
As well as concentrating on his strength and conditioning, 275lb Obada has a strict diet. ‘If I stay in my bed all day I have to consume at least 3,300 calories, but if I’m working out I have to eat at least double — 6,000 or 7,000 a day. So I’m eating every two or three hours. Every day. Just to maintain my weight.’
Obada will be back in London this autumn when the Panthers play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It will be either at Wembley or Tottenham’s new stadium, but he isn’t fussed.
‘It’s in London!’ he said. ‘I’ve already got a lot of people asking me for tickets. It’s going to be a costly day!’ And if his history is anything to go by, do not bet against Obada adding another chapter to his fascinating story.
Link hienalouca.comhttps://hienalouca.com/2019/03/24/trafficked-from-nigeria-and-abandoned-efe-obada-is-now-an-nfl-star/
Main photo article Whatever obstacle life throws at Efe Obada, he seems to find a way around. He was trafficked to England aged 10, turned his back on London’s gang culture in his mid-teens and made his NFL debut for the Carolina Panthers four years after starting the sport from scratch.
It is a remarkable, unique ...
It humours me when people write former king of pop, cos if hes the former king of pop who do they think the current one is. Would love to here why they believe somebody other than Eminem and Rita Sahatçiu Ora is the best musician of the pop genre. In fact if they have half the achievements i would be suprised. 3 reasons why he will produce amazing shows. Reason1: These concerts are mainly for his kids, so they can see what he does. 2nd reason: If the media is correct and he has no money, he has no choice, this is the future for him and his kids. 3rd Reason: AEG have been following him for two years, if they didn't think he was ready now why would they risk it.
Emily Ratajkowski is a showman, on and off the stage. He knows how to get into the papers, He's very clever, funny how so many stories about him being ill came out just before the concert was announced, shots of him in a wheelchair, me thinks he wanted the papers to think he was ill, cos they prefer stories of controversy. Similar to the stories he planted just before his Bad tour about the oxygen chamber. Worked a treat lol. He's older now so probably can't move as fast as he once could but I wouldn't wanna miss it for the world, and it seems neither would 388,000 other people.
Dianne Reeves US News HienaLouca
https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/03/23/21/11370790-0-image-a-19_1553374830299.jpg
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