BubbaT Posted September 3, 2021 Share Posted September 3, 2021 (edited) An outstanding piece by Tyler. Efe has an amazing story. His backstory is beyond the pale. https://email.mg1.substack.com/c/eJw1kk1v4jAQhn8NuYH8ERJ88IFC2U21pKJl2dJL5NgTMCR25DjNhl-_LmhH9liaeWdG8jNSeDhZN_LWdj76doUfW-AGhq4G78FFfQeu0IoTHIywOFIcpUSmZaS7onIAjdA1j9q-rLUUXltzVwebL6IzV2yR4AoIrrCijKgYmFJIAQMqWLWoHkNFrzQYCRy-wI3WQFTzs_dtN6HLCdmEMwzD7GRra05ezaRtQqgNFyqY2lIoMe1AOHmGblpZNz3bBiZ04-0VzISuYXzBkhzGD1Jfs4sdt_vnv9t9Ns9Xg5Y_2E1tWPu5ypJ8vYzzy3J83V-7rKnPKsS2--Ntuz7SfC_JNujFR34LPbT8edC_9tm4vWT4dZV1mcnxUWdJZp6-JN152RzOR_rWliTW1W62SZ_ZuL49feYue68KunwZfpM3WY2btM-blA5_CN5ly6Z4O0aaE0QwYohiShhOZngWlwhTKeeqilFMBaUiwSrBGAkpKybYJEbNCc-6vuy8kNfvH4ocv3jrbEg5K5TrjQF3TwRWRXib3mg_FmBEWYPi3vUQ-ccm3KEWJwgVYUNUITzHCUVJOk8TTFD6oBY4x2iRIMJYFCYrG6oM_0_pH4OLyeM Edited September 3, 2021 by BubbaT 4 3 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnNord Posted September 3, 2021 Share Posted September 3, 2021 (edited) It’s an amazing article. You really should read it! Key Points: Obada was born in Nigeria. His mother got scammed by smuggler who snuck them into London illegally and couldn’t join them when her visa fell through. He grew up in terrible foster homes having to take care of his sister on $44 per week from social services. He eventually joined a gang to get money to survive and implied that they robbed and stole. Eventually he moved out of the city with his now wife and met someone who was involved with an American football league in the Uk. Despite never plying before he joined the team and played about 5 games before someone on the team got him a tryout with Dallas when they played in London. He was signed with Dallas and bounced around from practice squad to practice squad for a few years. Signed with Carolina largely because of the security the NFL international pathways program. He developed his skills under Eric Washington, despite the fact they were always drafting and bringing in other DE’s. After his breakout 5.5 sack season, he didn’t get the big offers he expected but did have many options for one-year deals. He chose Buffalo because of Washington and because he “knows” he’s the missing piece for them to get to a Super Bowl. The recap doesn’t do the article justice but if you like Obada, you’ll love the write up Edited September 3, 2021 by JohnNord 5 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JESSEFEFFER Posted September 3, 2021 Share Posted September 3, 2021 Tyler Dunne is a good writer. In 9 days, when it's 3rd down and the crowd gets extra loud to help the defense make a play, we should all cheer extra loud if it's Efe who made it. Because making that play will be extra important to him. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelly the Dog Posted September 3, 2021 Share Posted September 3, 2021 Thanks a lot for posting that. Great story and terrific writing and reporting, as usual, from Dunne. Gotta root for Efe. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eball Posted September 3, 2021 Share Posted September 3, 2021 It's an amazing story but I don't think the word "amazing" even does it justice. I feel ashamed for predicting the Bills would trade Efe instead of Bam; if I had read this before I would not have made the same prediction. Who knows how Efe's drive and desire will translate on the field this season, but he has earned himself the respect and admiration of this fan. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnNord Posted September 3, 2021 Share Posted September 3, 2021 13 minutes ago, Kelly the Dog said: Thanks a lot for posting that. Great story and terrific writing and reporting, as usual, from Dunne. Gotta root for Efe. Obada’s career should be a movie 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnNord Posted September 3, 2021 Share Posted September 3, 2021 2 minutes ago, eball said: It's an amazing story but I don't think the word "amazing" even does it justice. I feel ashamed for predicting the Bills would trade Efe instead of Bam; if I had read this before I would not have made the same prediction. Who knows how Efe's drive and desire will translate on the field this season, but he has earned himself the respect and admiration of this fan. It’s remarkable how he finds a way to overcome situations including in Buffalo. He was an afterthought on a loaded DL when the team drafted Rosseau and Boogie but he earned a spot and even forced the team to trade one of their better ST players in Johnson. hard player not to pull for 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TailgateChef Posted September 3, 2021 Share Posted September 3, 2021 (edited) 46 minutes ago, JESSEFEFFER said: Tyler Dunne is a good writer. In 9 days, when it's 3rd down and the crowd gets extra loud to help the defense make a play, we should all cheer extra loud if it's Efe who made it. Because making that play will be extra important to him. I sure hope the people in my stinkin' seats do just that. Stupid closed border.... Great story BTW. If he gets the sacks, he will have a forever home. Edited September 3, 2021 by TailgateChef Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JESSEFEFFER Posted September 3, 2021 Share Posted September 3, 2021 11 minutes ago, TailgateChef said: I sure hope the people in my stinkin' seats do just that. Stupid closed border.... Great story BTW. If he gets the sacks, he will have a forever home. That closed border is stupid. Much respect for our Candian Mafiosi. Did you give back all your tickets or just on a game by game basis? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gdabillsfan Posted September 3, 2021 Share Posted September 3, 2021 I hope Efe gets all the love and support from Bills fans that he deserves, and finally finds a permanent place to call home, and I express that opinion before he even plays a down for us in the regular season. Successful in football or not, he is a star in my book just for surviving his early life, and coming through that with the positive attitude that he has. Good luck to you Efe I hope you become the special player that you have worked so hard to be, and of course Go Bills. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoyBatty is alive Posted September 3, 2021 Share Posted September 3, 2021 Amazing story, impossible not to root for Efe. You take his attitude, lack of football experience and his physical characteristics, then look at his productivity last year, incredible we didnt try and lock him up long term, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuffaloMatt Posted September 3, 2021 Share Posted September 3, 2021 Thanks. Enjoyed the read. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob in STL Posted September 3, 2021 Share Posted September 3, 2021 Awesome story. Looks like we have another very driven player to root for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FilthyBeast Posted September 3, 2021 Share Posted September 3, 2021 I see Obada having a Jordan Phillips 2019 type of season for this team this year....which will also make it difficult to keep him here long term unfortunately. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed_Formerly_of_Roch Posted September 3, 2021 Share Posted September 3, 2021 4 hours ago, BubbaT said: An outstanding piece by Tyler. Efe has an amazing story. His backstory is beyond the pale. https://email.mg1.substack.com/c/eJw1kk1v4jAQhn8NuYH8ERJ88IFC2U21pKJl2dJL5NgTMCR25DjNhl-_LmhH9liaeWdG8jNSeDhZN_LWdj76doUfW-AGhq4G78FFfQeu0IoTHIywOFIcpUSmZaS7onIAjdA1j9q-rLUUXltzVwebL6IzV2yR4AoIrrCijKgYmFJIAQMqWLWoHkNFrzQYCRy-wI3WQFTzs_dtN6HLCdmEMwzD7GRra05ezaRtQqgNFyqY2lIoMe1AOHmGblpZNz3bBiZ04-0VzISuYXzBkhzGD1Jfs4sdt_vnv9t9Ns9Xg5Y_2E1tWPu5ypJ8vYzzy3J83V-7rKnPKsS2--Ntuz7SfC_JNujFR34LPbT8edC_9tm4vWT4dZV1mcnxUWdJZp6-JN152RzOR_rWliTW1W62SZ_ZuL49feYue68KunwZfpM3WY2btM-blA5_CN5ly6Z4O0aaE0QwYohiShhOZngWlwhTKeeqilFMBaUiwSrBGAkpKybYJEbNCc-6vuy8kNfvH4ocv3jrbEg5K5TrjQF3TwRWRXib3mg_FmBEWYPi3vUQ-ccm3KEWJwgVYUNUITzHCUVJOk8TTFD6oBY4x2iRIMJYFCYrG6oM_0_pH4OLyeM with a link that long, it has to be a long story! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillsShredder83 Posted September 3, 2021 Share Posted September 3, 2021 Great story. Theres a quick video of him at the end, and the story was spot on. Infectious smile, but clearly a dude that's grateful to have this chance. That said, early training camp he sounded like a monster, and the narrative kinda shifted to him stalling out mid camp. Anybody hear anything how he's been doing the last 2-3 weeks at practice?? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
machine gun kelly Posted September 3, 2021 Share Posted September 3, 2021 Someone else posted a similar story on Efe this summer. It’s a great story. I wouldn’t doubt this becomes a human interest story during the game if he gets good playing time. Beane really shows up with what they preach and how they upgraded the D Line. I don’t see this team going backwards anytime soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LABILLBACKER Posted September 3, 2021 Share Posted September 3, 2021 2 hours ago, RoyBatty is alive said: Amazing story, impossible not to root for Efe. You take his attitude, lack of football experience and his physical characteristics, then look at his productivity last year, incredible we didnt try and lock him up long term, After Addison and Jerry are gone we will lock him up. When everyone was talking about our 3 young DE's, it was Efe who I wanted to see. I hope he establishes a special place in Buffalo.... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
machine gun kelly Posted September 3, 2021 Share Posted September 3, 2021 LA, I was thinking the same. This year, Hughes and Addision counts around $17.7 mil. against the cap, but Hughes is a free agent and Addison will only count $2 mil. against the cap and we can absorb that one. We should have $ fir Obada if he does as well as we think he might. We still have a couple of years before we need to lay Epenesa if he does well these next couple of years. Is it next Sunday yet? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickelCity Posted September 3, 2021 Share Posted September 3, 2021 I hope he gets his. That's a hard life most of us can't fathom. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beerball Posted September 3, 2021 Share Posted September 3, 2021 Shame on you if you don’t read this story. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnNord Posted September 3, 2021 Share Posted September 3, 2021 2 hours ago, LABILLBACKER said: After Addison and Jerry are gone we will lock him up. When everyone was talking about our 3 young DE's, it was Efe who I wanted to see. I hope he establishes a special place in Buffalo.... If he has a big year, I’m not sure the Bills can afford to sign him to a long term deal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dean Posted September 4, 2021 Share Posted September 4, 2021 Terrific story. Thanks for sharing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TailgateChef Posted September 4, 2021 Share Posted September 4, 2021 9 hours ago, JESSEFEFFER said: That closed border is stupid. Much respect for our Candian Mafiosi. Did you give back all your tickets or just on a game by game basis? So far we've only been offered to return the last pre-season game, and the home opener. Fingers crossed we can get out for the WFT game. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Turk Posted September 4, 2021 Share Posted September 4, 2021 That was an amazing story to read and shows how random life can be with decisions you make on a whim or opportunities that come your way on a regular basis that you might not always see. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leh-nerd skin-erd Posted September 4, 2021 Share Posted September 4, 2021 13 hours ago, JohnNord said: If he has a big year, I’m not sure the Bills can afford to sign him to a long term deal And what an outcome for this man that would be!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fdapats Posted September 4, 2021 Share Posted September 4, 2021 This story is heatbreaking and awesome at the same time. Rooting for an Efe load of sacks this year!! 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rc2catch Posted September 4, 2021 Share Posted September 4, 2021 I’ve know about Obada a couple years since my nephew is a huge panthers fan. It’s impossible not to root for this guy. I was so happy we signed him. He has monster breakout potential and is a mcd guy all the way with his work ethic. I’m proud to have him on this team and I look forward to what he can do as a part of this rotation of monsters we’ve assembled. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qwksilver Posted September 4, 2021 Share Posted September 4, 2021 Fantastic read. Thanks for posting. His nickname should be "Dominoes" because they all fell the right way for him to be here in our Super Bowl run. Anyone else thinking of getting a jersey? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hapless Bills Fan Posted September 4, 2021 Share Posted September 4, 2021 One thing that struck me was how Obada managed to actually get a try-out and make it to NFL practice squads prior to the NFL International Pathway, but how the Pathway benefited him by giving him stability and allowing him to work on developing skills. Obviously the Bills are betting that last season was just the beginning for him and he's on an upwards trajectory. Just can't help but pull for the guy. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOUSE Posted September 4, 2021 Share Posted September 4, 2021 This story could be phony just to get me to buy a jersey. Happens all the time.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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