Derrick Nnadi

Derrick Nnadi's Biography

Derrick Nnadi is a professional football player, born on May 9, 1996, who has spearheaded his career in the National Football League (NFL) as a remarkable defensive tackle signed with the Kansas City Chiefs. His passion for the sport took root at Florida State, where he played college football, a stepping stone that cemented his path to the NFL.

In December 2017, he received an invitation for the 2018 Senior Bowl, an event showcasing college football players to professional teams. However, an unspecified injury reported in January 2018 barred him from participating. Despite this, Nnadi’s determination remained unscathed, and he attended the NFL Scouting Combine, completing all the necessary drills. Unfortunately, his overall performance was deemed subpar, affecting his draft stock adversely.

On March 20, 2018, his resilience was visible during Florida State’s pro day, where he chose to perform the short shuttle and vertical jump. He also attended a private workout with the New York Jets. Despite adversities, NFL draft experts and scouts projected him as a third or fourth-round pick. Nnadi was ranked as the seventh best defensive tackle by Scouts Inc., and bagged the 11th position by DraftScout.com.

In 2018, the Kansas City Chiefs recognized his potential and selected him in the third round with the 75th overall pick in the NFL Draft, trading their third and fourth-round picks to the Baltimore Ravens. The Chiefs finalized Nnadi’s induction with a $3.74 million contract for four years, with a signing bonus of $959,400.

Vital to the Chiefs’ defensive effort, Nnadi’s career took a significant turn during week 11 of the 2019 season against the Los Angeles Chargers. He recorded his first career interception off Philip Rivers, contributing to the Chiefs’ 24–17 win. This was followed by the Chiefs’ victory over the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LIV marking their first championship in 50 years.

Nnadi’s commitment to the Chiefs continued through March 2022, leading to another notable victory against the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LVII. This triumph marked Nnadi’s second Super Bowl win. His journey with the Chiefs received further validation as he re-signed with them in March 2023 and again in March 2024.

In Super Bowl LVIII, Nnadi played an instrumental role in the Chiefs’ triumph over the San Francisco 49ers, marking his spectacular third Super Bowl win. However, in July 2024, he was placed on the Active/Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list.

Nnadi’s connection to his roots is seen in his Nigerian heritage. His journey began at Ocean Lakes High School in Virginia Beach, Virginia, where his passion for the sport began to bloom. Furthermore, his love for animals is evident, as he celebrates each Chiefs victory by paying the adoption fees for a local dog at a Kansas City shelter. This tradition further extended to him covering all adoption fees at the shelter post their Super Bowl LIV victory, a testament to his humble and giving nature.