Why Bills' Efe Obada just wants 'to be known as a player'

Bills defensive end Efe Obada wants to shake his story and build a new one in Buffalo.

Obada, 29, signed a one-year deal with the Bills this spring. Prior to that, he played for the Carolina Panthers since 2018.

His story runs much deeper than that, though. Obada, born in Nigeria, spent his upbringing in England. He ended up in the NFL via the league’s International Pathway Program, playing for the London Warriors to start his career.

A good tale, but Obada’s ready to start writing a new one with the Bills.

“Early stages, I was OK with it,” Obada explained via video conference. “I did fall in that category, but as the years keep adding on and as I’m applying myself and going and making my sacrifices and closing that gap, I definitely want to be known as just a player now. I don’t want to be known as a story.”

In his efforts to do begin this new chapter, Obada appears to be taking the correct first step. After a career-high 5.5 sacks last year with the Panthers, his new teammates on Buffalo’s defensive line are already impressed with him.

“We have all the things, all the tools, even Efe. We have all the tools just to go out there and be great. All we have to do is just make it happen on Sundays,” defensive tackle Ed Oliver said.

Fellow edge defender Mario Addison, like Obada, took the scenic route to the NFL. Addison went from undrafted rookie to 13-year veteran.

Knowing how hard the long route is to get to the league, Addison approves of Obada so far.

“One thing I’ll say about him is he’s very coachable. He’s willing to learn,” Addison said. “I taught him this one move that he kind of perfected. He does it almost better than me. It’s the long arm and you grab from the outside hand and you bend it back. And he perfected the move. From a guy not playing football as long as I did and can get out there and do everything I can do, probably can do it better, it shows what kind of tremendous character he has. He is very coachable.”

With the Bills, Obada is reunited with defensive line coach Eric Washington, who could be a key to unlocking Obada’s talents.

Many look toward the likes of rookies Greg Rousseau and Boogie Basham in terms of how the Bills will improve their sack totals in 2021, but Obada is commanding that same type of respect early in training camp.