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
