British NFL player Efe Obada has officially announced his retirement from the sport, confirming the news on Wednesday after spending the 2025 season without a team. The 34-year-old spent a decade in the NFL, making 80 appearances and recording 15 quarterback sacks.
To mark his retirement, Obada has launched his own foundation, which aims to support care-experienced individuals aged between 11 and 25. He stated that this initiative resonates deeply with him, having lived through similar experiences.
Obada's remarkable journey to the NFL began after he was trafficked from the Netherlands and abandoned in London at the age of 10, subsequently living in over 10 foster homes. He played for the Dallas Cowboys' practice squad in 2015, making his NFL debut with the Carolina Panthers in 2018, where he made an immediate impact with a sack, an interception, and a forced fumble.
His career also saw him play for the Buffalo Bills and Washington Commanders, tackling notable quarterbacks such as Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers. Obada, who became a British citizen last year, will now focus on establishing his foundation, aiming to create a lasting community hub in south London.