PROFILER- Meet Obafemi Ayanbadejo

Meet Obafemi Ayanbadejo

Obafemi Devin Ayanbadejo born March 5, 1975) is a former American football fullback. He was signed by the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 1997. He played college football at San Diego State.

Ayanbadejo also played for the Baltimore Ravens, Miami Dolphins, Arizona Cardinals and has been on the offseason roster of the Chicago Bears. He earned a Super Bowl ring with the Ravens in Super Bowl XXXV. He is the older brother of NFL linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo.

Ayanbadejo was born in Chicago to a Nigerian father and an American mother of Irish descent. He played high school football at Santa Cruz High School.

Ayanbadejo played at San Diego State University after starting in junior college at Cabrillo College in Aptos, California.

Following his collegiate career at San Diego State, Ayanbadejo was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Vikings. He was cut by the team before the season began and did not play football that year.

Ayanbadejo was signed to the practice squad of the Baltimore Ravens the following season, where he remained before being activated to the regular season roster late in the year. However, he got put on the injured reserve late in November due to a toe injury. Ayanbadejo was released by the Ravens after the 2001 season.

After failing to sign with another team, he sat out 2002 season in free agency. Ayanbadejo signed with the Miami Dolphins in 2003, appearing in 16 games (two starts) and catching 12 passes for 53 yards. His brother, Brendon Ayanbadejo, was a linebacker for the Dolphins that season.

On March 6, 2006, the Cardinals re-signed Obafemi Ayanbadejo to a two-year extension, though he was cut three months later.

Ayanbadejo signed with the Chicago Bears in 2007, becoming professional teammates with his younger brother, Brendon, for the third time in their careers.

In August 2007, Ayanbadejo was suspended for the first four games of the 2007 season after testing positive for a banned substance. Following his suspension, he was released from the Bears' roster.

Ayanbadejo was drafted by the California Redwoods of the United Football League in the UFL Premiere Season Draft in 2009. He signed with the team on August 18.

Obafemi Ayanbadejo is the older brother of former Baltimore Ravens and Chicago Bears linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo.