Name Adewale Ogunleye Spouse Amira Baker (m. 2014) Undrafted: 2000 Weight 118 kg | Height 1.98 m | |
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Date of birth: (1977-08-09) August 9, 1977 (age 38) Similar People Muhsin Muhammad, Brendon Ayanbadejo, Adewale Akinnuoye‑Agbaje Profiles | ||
2007 Chicago Bears Defensive HL
INTERVIEW WITH ADEWALE OGUNLEYE NFL before CONCUSSION MOVIE
Adewale Ogunleye (; born August 9, 1977) is a former American football defensive end who played eleven seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He was signed by the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2000 and also played for the Chicago Bears and Houston Texans. He played college football at Indiana.
Contents
- 2007 Chicago Bears Defensive HL
- INTERVIEW WITH ADEWALE OGUNLEYE NFL before CONCUSSION MOVIE
- Early years
- College career
- Miami Dolphins
- Chicago Bears
- Houston Texans
- References
Early years
Ogunleye is of Nigerian background, and his grandfather was the Yoruba King of the city-state of Emure in Ekiti State. Ogun in his surname means "The god of iron." His father is a social worker employed by the City of New York.
Ogunleye played high school football at Tottenville High School in his hometown of Staten Island, New York City, New York. He was a classmate of Major League baseball All Star starting pitcher Jason Marquis and a teammate of three-time Super Bowl winning offensive guard Joe Andruzzi.
College career
Ogunleye played college football at Indiana University, where he was a four-year starter. He was also a three time ALL-BIG TEN selection. In 1999, he received his Bachelor of Arts in English Degree from Indiana University. Athletically, Adewale went on to become a 4-year starter at defensive end as well as a team captain. From 1996-1999, Adewale recorded 34.5 sacks and 64 tackles for a loss. Both are all-time Indiana football records. His sacks and TFL’s rank him sixth and seventh, respectively, in the Big Ten Conference’s all-time record books. In 1999, he was also named to the prestigious Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list. As one of the nation's top defensive players, Ogunleye was recognized as a preseason All-America by numerous publications including Playboy Magazine. Mel Kiper Jr., a well-respected draft guru, rated Ogunleye as the number 1 NFL draft prospect heading into his senior year at Indiana. Midway through his senior season, Ogunleye suffered multiple tears in the ligaments of his left knee, ending his college career.
November, 2014 Ogunleye was Inducted into the Indiana University Athletics Hall of Fame 2014. The ceremony was held in Bloomington, IN on November 7 and then recognized during halftime of the next day's Indiana-Penn State football game.
Miami Dolphins
Ogunleye signed with Miami in 2000 as an undrafted free agent. He spent the first year of his NFL career on injured reserve due to a knee injury suffered during his senior year at Indiana. In 2001, Ogunleye had recovered well enough to lead the team during the preseason in sacks and that earned him a spot on the Dolphins’ 53-man roster. By the end of his fourth season with the Miami Dolphins, Ogunleye had been voted starter in the 2004 NFL Pro Bowl. He led the AFC with 15 sacks in the 2003-2004 NFL season. He was given the Dan Marino Most Valuable Player of the year award, by the Miami Dolphins, that same season.
In 2002, Ogunleye had 57 tackles, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and 9.5 sacks (sixth in the AFC) for 62 yards in losses for the season. During the 2003 NFL season, while playing for the Miami Dolphins, he led the AFC with 15 sacks. Ogunleye was named to the Pro Bowl at the conclusion of the season.
Chicago Bears
He was traded by the Dolphins to the Bears for wide receiver Marty Booker and a 3rd round pick in the 2005 NFL draft after holding out during the month of August before the 2004 NFL season. Ogunleye quickly signed a record-breaking 6-year contract with the Bears. During the next six seasons Ogunleye became a mainstay on the Bears top-ranked defense. During the 2005 NFL season, Ogunleye spearheaded the Bear's defensive line by recording ten sacks. Ogunleye was named team captain and helped the Bears reach Super Bowl XLI in Miami during the 2006 season.
In 2008, Ogunleye was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Week for the week one after recording a safety and making a key fourth down stop against the Indianapolis Colts.
On December 20, 2009 in a game against the Baltimore Ravens, Ogunleye fractured his left fibula. He was placed on season-ending injured reserve on December 26.
Houston Texans
On September 14, 2010 Ogunleye signed a one-year tender with the Houston Texans after his contract with the Chicago Bears had expired. At the end of the 2011 season, Ogunleye would end his professional playing career. He finished with 11 NFL seasons under his belt. He finished with career totals of 389 Tackles, 67.5 Sacks, 17 forced fumbles, and 14 fumble recoveries, 2 safeties and 1 Interception.
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