Ugo Amadi

Ugo Amadi's Biography

Ugochukwu Amadi, most often known as Ugo Amadi, is a Nigerian-American professional football safety, currently playing for the esteemed New Orleans Saints in the highly-regarded National Football League (NFL). Born on May 16, 1997, this remarkable athlete indeed has a noteworthy career. His journey began with a solid foundation in college, playing football at Oregon, which led him to being noticed and drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL draft. An impressive feat by all accounts.

In his senior year in 2018, came one of the most significant milestones in his career, as Amadi bagged the Lombardi Award—an outstanding testament to his talent, hard work, and dedication to the sport. Hailing from John Overton High School in the musical city of Nashville, Tennessee, Amadi had been a consensus four-star cornerback, choosing to sign with Oregon after amassing a bevy of Power 5 offers.

A faithful Duck throughout his college years from 2015 to 2018, Amadi appeared in an impressive total of 51 games, starting in 34. His college career stats are a testament to consistent performance and growth—signing off with an outstanding 165 total tackles, 9.5 tackles for a loss spanning 54 yards, three sacks for 16 yards, eight interceptions amassing 122 yards, two touchdowns, 33 passes defended, four forced fumbles, and a couple of fumble recoveries on defense.

The professional field got its first taste of Amadi after he was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks, securing a place in the fourth round, (132nd overall), in the 2019 NFL draft. The initial couple of years within the NFL saw Amadi being traded between teams. Initially, in August 2022, Amadi was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles in a deal involving tight end J. J. Arcega-Whiteside.

However, his time with Philadelphia was relatively short-lived, as less than ten days later, he was requisitioned by the Tennessee Titans, swapped with Philadelphia’s 2024 seventh-round pick, in return for Tennessee’s 2024 sixth-round pick. His stint with the Titans did not last long, and by October 31, he was waived.

In November 2022, Amadi joined the Kansas City Chiefs’ practice squad. This proved to be a fortunate move, as it allowed him to become a Super Bowl champion when the Chiefs defeated the Eagles in Super Bowl LVII. Following his championship-winning season, in March 2023, Amadi signed with the New Orleans Saints.

During his first year with the Saints, Amadi got to play all 17 games, primarily contributing to the special teams. The next year, in March 2024, the Saints re-signed him. However, he was released on August 27, but fortunately, re-signed to the practice squad. On October 26, he was called into the active roster, bidding adieu to the practice squad.

Throughout his career, Amadi has exhibited a remarkable resilience that sets him apart. He continues to be a valuable player, offering consistent performance despite the changes and challenges of the professional football landscape. Ugo Amadi’s roots play a considerable role in his identity and fortitude, as a proud American born to Nigerian parents, he is indeed a reflection of his many faceted influences: a dynamic blend of Nigerian grit, American technique, and the athlete’s spirit.