Amen Ogbongbemiga

Amen Ogbongbemiga's Biography

Amen Ogbongbemiga’s name resonates in the world of professional American football, not only for its distinctive Nigerian flair but also for the monumental achievements he has made. Born in Lagos, Nigeria on September 4, 1998, and currently a linebacker for the Chicago Bears in the National Football League (NFL), Amen’s story is one of resounding success fueled by passion, resilience, and boundless energy.

The journey that led Amen to play American Football professionally started when he was still just a young boy. In 2003, his family relocated from Lagos to Houston, Texas, and later to Calgary in 2011. Amen spent his high school years at Notre Dame in Calgary, where his remarkable talent for the sport became evident. He embarked on a mesmerizing career, notching up an impressive 104 tackles, three sacks, 13 tackles for loss, four forced fumbles, and two recoveries in his junior year alone.

Graduating high school, his stats burgeoned further. Amen amassed 110 tackles, 15 for loss, four sacks, five forced fumbles, and three recoveries. In his senior year, he was named the first-team all-district and team MVP, marking his dominance on the field. His streak of excellence extended off-field as well; he thrice got an Academic Honor Roll selection and contributed to his high school team achieving an astonishing 37 consecutive victories, aligning them near the all-time Canadian record. His athletic prowess was not only confined to football, but he also demonstrated his mettle in track and field events at Notre Dame.

Having built a successful high school career, Amen decided to improve his skills further. He attended Oklahoma State University from 2016 to 2021. He had to sit out his true freshman season as a redshirt but came back stronger thereafter. His performances brought him recognition as first-team academic all-Big 12 after his freshman year, during which he posted 16 tackles and 13 solo stops, playing in 12 games.

Standing out in football, Amen’s sophomore year saw him play in all 13 games. He logged 12 tackles, three for loss, 1.5 sacks, and a fumble recovery. The season was filled with memorable moments including a sack of Kyler Murray against rival Oklahoma, a season-high three tackles, and being named team captain during the Oklahoma and South Alabama games.

Amen’s hard work and dedication paid off as he was voted team captain for the 2019 season. His stellar performance throughout the season ranked him sixth in the Big 12, with 100 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, and five sacks. Amidst these robust stats, the Texas Bowl game was a highlight where he notched a season-high 12 tackles, a sack, and a fumble recovery. He rounded off the season winning Second-team All-Big 12 and First-team Academic All-Big 12 honors, and the Leslie O’Neal award for the best defensive player on the team.

The following year, Amen served as a team captain once more, this time in his senior season. During the 11 games led by him, he was the leader in tackles six times. His magnificent contributions led him to be acknowledged as a semifinalist for the Lott IMPACT Trophy and garner a place for the fourth consecutive year in the First-team All-Academic selection.

After a memorable senior year, Amen chose to forego the remaining eligibility and declare for the NFL Draft. Having left an indelible mark in college football, he was signed as an undrafted free agent with the Los Angeles Chargers following the 2021 NFL draft. Amen did not rest on his laurels and went on to make the final roster, going onto appear in 15 games, and recording 26 tackles during his rookie season.

In the ensuing years, he continued to impress with his performance and was even signed by the Chicago Bears on March 14, 2024. While Amen now plays professional football in the United States, the legacy of sports runs in his blood as his older brother, Alex Ogbongbemiga, played in the Canadian Football League.

Amen Ogbongbemiga emerged from the bustling city of Lagos, navigated the tumultuous road of relocation, and graduated into a world-renowned football career. His contributions to American football have left an inspiring narrative in the sport. Undoubtedly, Amen’s football story is one to be relished and admired. In the future, he promises to offer more to the sport, setting higher standards with each passing season.