Carolina Panthers decided to keep defensive end Efe Obada around and gave the 27-year-old Nigerian one-year deal on Wednesday. This way, Obada will continue his remarkable journey from playing football in England to becoming an NFL player.
He made history back in August 2018 and became the first player to get a spot on the active roster through the NFL International Pathway Program.
“I’m very grateful. It’s another opportunity to contribute to the team and obviously support myself and my family,” – said Obada after inking the deal.
Born in Nigeria, Efe Obada spent the majority of his life in London, where he was introduced to football through British American Football Association National Leagues. After playing several games with London Warriors, he received an opportunity to work out for Dallas Cowboys in 2014 and was subsequently signed by the team in 2015. After several stints on the team’s practice squad, Obada was shortly a member of Kansas City Chiefs and Atlanta Falcons but never made it to the active roster.
In 2017, Carolina Panthers decided to sign Efe Obada through NFL’s International Player Pathway, which gave teams certain benefits if they were to sign an international player. He spent 2017 on the Panthers’ practice squad, and then after strong preseason performances, managed to win a spot on the active roster for the 2018 season.
Obada ended up playing seven games with the Panthers, recording eight tackles, 2.0 sacks, and one interception.
