After a slow start to the year, London native Efe Obada picked the perfect time to erupt for his best game all season. After missing six games this season with various injuries Obada made sure to let fans know he was back last week notching two clutch fourth-quarter sacks against his former team.
The international pass rushers’ revenge game helped the Bills pull off a hard-fought win as coach Doug McDermotts squad jostles for post-season position.
Buffalo’s head coach noted the importance of Obada’s return to form:
“He had two sacks, especially the second one – the big moment – when we needed it,” McDermott added. “Getting that four-man rush is important for us.”
Those two key sacks from the former Carolina Panther came in only three plays as he used a vicious rip move to blindside the quarterback on second down. Two plays later, the veteran then opted for a speed rush taking down Cam Newton once again on fourth and long. The crucial turnover on downs helped the Bills ice the game late in the fourth. Obada remained humble praising his teammates for his big moment:
“It was great effort from the coverage to allow me to get in there,” Obada said. “I’m just grateful for the opportunity to be out there.”
Our British Bill bossing it! 🇬🇧💪@EfeObadaUK had TWO sacks against his former team last night!@BuffaloBills pic.twitter.com/FjQqIlJu84
— NFL UK (@NFLUK) December 20, 2021
Born in Nigeria, and raised in London, Obada first started playing football as a 22-year-old student at Kingston University. The 6’6″ talent soon joined the local powerhouse London Warriors and eventually found his way to the NFL through the recommendation of current Dallas Cowboys defensive line coach Aden Durde.
The former London Warrior spent time with the Dallas Cowboys, Kansas City Chiefs, and Atlanta Falcons before establishing his first NFL home in Carolina.
Efe Obada gets to Drew Brees! 💪
Another big name QB added to the sack list!
📺 NFL Game Pass | @Panthers | @EfeObadaUK pic.twitter.com/HeJHUS2715
— NFL UK (@NFLUK) January 3, 2021
Obada played for the Panthers from 2017-2020, sharing the locker room with current Carolina signal-caller Cam Newton for three of those seasons. After years of taking his foot off the gas in practice in order to protect the franchise quarterback, Obada relished the chance to take down the former MVP:
“When I was playing with him, he used to have that red jersey, so that was the quickest ride to go home if you hit him,” Obada said while addressing the media. “But no, it just felt really good to hit him now. I asked for his jersey, so I’m putting that out here now, so I can hold him accountable.”
Efe Obada still has that smile pic.twitter.com/xWoSkupqj5
— Bill Voth (@PanthersBill) December 19, 2021
Following a five-and-a-half sack 2020 season with the Panthers, the 29-year-old signed a one-year deal with the Buffalo Bills worth over 1.4 million dollars. Despite the mix of emotions facing his former team this past weekend, Obada keeps his focus on the future and the final stretch of the regular season.
“Feels good, man,” Obada added. “Stay humble, get focused, get back on the mission. But it felt good. Just grateful for the opportunity to be out here.”