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CHARLOTTE, NC (AP) – Panthers defensive end Efe Obada has exploded at the corner of the road, catching tight Bengals winger CJ Ogbuehi and bumping into quarterback Andy Dalton for his first bag in career and a defeat of 10 meters.
He shouted to his teammates: "They do not know me! I'm from London! They do not know me!
The Bengals probably did not – or at least perhaps did not know his incredible story, when he was a victim of 10-year-old traffic in the UK to become an NFL player.
Nigerian Obada, the first player on the NFL's list of 53 players in the new International Pathways program, posted a remarkable performance in his first NFL game with interception, sack and two quarterbacks to help Carolina beat the Cincinnati Bengals. -21 on Sunday.
Obada lives a bespoke film for Hollywood, although he has kept most of the details of his painful past because he has "deep trust issues" and is still working on the emotional impact of the deals on his life.
What he revealed is that he and his older sister were abandoned in the streets of London after their mother decided to send them to the UK – with someone who turned out to be a stranger – so that they can have a better life. The stranger who had to take care of the children did not keep his promise. Instead, they were left alone and homeless in a foreign country.
They learned to survive until they were discovered and placed in foster care, and they moved from home to their age.
"Some of the problems I have not dealt with," Obada told the Associated Press earlier this month. "I did not really take the time to understand. … Right now, I just want to focus on football and make the most of it.
Obada briefly found solace in a gang before discovering football at 22. He played for the London Monarchs, where he was eventually discovered by the Dallas Cowboys. But he could not make his list.
He had another chance thanks to the International Pathways program, created in 2017, which sends four players to different teams. The Panthers landed in Obada – and he immediately impressed coach Ron Rivera.
"I tell you, Ron Rivera has spoken to him since the first day of the training camp," said Panthers GM Marty Hurney. "He saw special qualities in him. He had a chance to play today and he was fantastic.
Obada, now 26, learned earlier this week that he was going to be activated for the match when he found his jersey on his chair in front of his locker. He was filled with pride.
"He deserved the opportunity," Rivera said.
Sunday, Obada showed early on the scene that he was not too tall, passing a blocker and striker Dalton in the second quarter and putting the ball out of reach. The Panthers recovered and his teammates celebrated the victory. But officials reversed the call for incompleteness after watching it again.
He did not let that affect him.
While Carolina lead 21-14 in the third quarter, Dalton missed the middle goal and cornerback James Bradberry deflected the ball into the air. Obada dived for interception – something he had never done before in his life.
The Panthers scored seven times later to take a 14-point lead.
He did not stop there.
With the Bengals trailing 28-21, Obada, 6-foot-6 and 265-pound, sacked Dalton at his 7-yard line with 4:21 left. In the next match, Dalton launched the field of attack and was intercepted by Donte Jackson, leading to the Carolina check.
"You could see it in his eyes," said Panthers linebacker Shaq Thompson. "Just before the bag, I told him:" The big players are playing big games. "And the next thing you know, he got a bag."
Rivera awarded Obada the ball for his effort.
"I'm on the moon," Obada said. "Words can not describe how I feel. I am so happy."
The teammates were thrilled for Obada – but not necessarily surprised.
"I'm so happy for him," said Mike Adams. "When he shouts, 'They do not know me! I'm from London, I'm just laughing. This guy worked so hard. He worked hard to get here. And he took advantage of this opportunity.
Obada said he was determined to make sure that this was only the beginning of his success in the NFL, and that soon everyone knows his name.
"I do not want to be a unique wonder," Obada said. "It's about creating that momentum and continuing to work hard. I go back to the lab and get ready for the next opponent.
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