Samson Ebukam

Samson Ebukam's Biography

Nnamka Samson Ebukam, born on May 9, 1995 in Onitsha, Nigeria, is a Nigerian-American professional footballer renowned for his efforts on the field as a defensive end. He relocated to the United States at nine years old, and his football career began to take shape as he attended David Douglas High School in Portland, Oregon, graduating in 2013. Here, he played high school football for the Scots, mastering numerous positions such as defensive end, tight end, and fullback. Despite his prowess on the field, veering towards positions requiring immense physical strength and strategic advantage, Ebukam’s journey towards professional football was not easy.

Only two Division I scholarship offers were on the table for Ebukam. He flavored the Eastern Washington University offer over Portland State. As a three-year starter for Eastern Washington, he built an impressive football resume. Over 38 collegiate starts, Ebukam chalked up 188 tackles, 44 tackles for losses, and 24 sacks. These efforts, however, did not get him a place in the 2017 NFL Combine, although he did participate in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl.

The Los Angeles Rams drafted Ebukam as the 125th overall pick in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL draft. Despite being the 17th linebacker to be called to the draft, Ebukam exemplified relentless resilience and determination in his professional career. On June 20, 2017, the Rams invested in Ebukam, signing him on a four-year, $3.01 million contract. His professional debut came in the Rams’ season opener against the Indianapolis Colts, where he recorded three solo tackles, contributing to their victory. As his professional prowess continued to gain momentum, his maiden career sack became a memorable performance against the Texans’ quarterback Tom Savage.

His rookie season culminated with a commendable scorecard of 31 combined tackles, two sacks, and a forced fumble in 16 games. As his reputation grew, Ebukam solidified his position as a starting outside linebacker, and his contributions were pivotal in the Rams’ stellar 54-51 win over the Kansas City Chiefs, which earned him the NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors. Despite the Rams’ defeat in the Super Bowl LIII against the New England Patriots, Ebukam’s performance did not waver as he recorded four tackles.

In 2019, Ebukam’s football career maintained a steady momentum and he played in 16 games with five starts. However, his performance in 2020 shone brighter than ever as two critical sacks clinched a playoff spot for the Rams in a game against the Cardinals. 2021 ushered in a new era for Ebukam as he signed a two-year contract with the San Francisco 49ers. A consistent performer, he led the team with five sacks, 36 total tackles, one pass defended, and one forced fumble in his 2022 season.

2023 marked a milestone in Ebukam’s career as he penned a three-year contract with the Indianapolis Colts. His first season with the Colts saw him leading the roost with a career-high 9.5 sacks. Bus, unfortunately, the following year dealt him a severe setback – an Achilles tendon injury that ruled him out for the season. Despite this drawback, Ebukam’s relentless spirit and consistent dedication to the sport remain as the cornerstone of his impressive career. His story demonstrates immense resilience, unwavering dedication, and a tenacious pursuit of a dream that carried him from Nigeria’s streets to America’s grandest stadiums.