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Haggai Chisom Ndubuisi (born 15 October 2000) is a Nigerian professional football defensive tackle for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). He joined the NFL through the International Player Pathway (IPP) program and has been a member of the Arizona Cardinals, Denver Broncos, and the United Football League's (UFL) San Antonio Brahmas.
| No. 68 – Washington Commanders | |
|---|---|
| Position: | Defensive tackle |
| Personal information | |
| Born: | 15 October 2000 Lagos, Nigeria |
| Height: | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) |
| Weight: | 298 lb (135 kg) |
| Career information | |
| Undrafted: | 2022 |
| Career history | |
| |
| * Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |
| Roster status: | Practice squad/international |
| Stats at Pro Football Reference | |
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Ndubuisi was born on 15 October 2000, in Lagos, Nigeria.[1] He grew up playing soccer and basketball before watching a YouTube video about the National Football League (NFL)'s best hits when he was 18.[2][3] He enjoyed watching it and decided that he wanted to be a football player.[3] Ndubuisi often brought his friends to local fields and tried to re-enact what he saw in the videos, despite knowing almost nothing about the game.[3]
There were almost no football teams in Nigeria at the time; Ndubuisi said "American football is not a sport that is in Nigeria per say [sic] - it is like a sport without hope. There is no future in it."[2] He sometimes practiced alone due to the sport's lack of popularity.[4] He was noticed by Ejike Ugboaja, who co-leads (with Osi Umenyiora) UpRise Academy, a program that helps identify African football talent, and was invited in 2021.[2][4]
After six months of training, Ndubuisi was invited to an NFL camp in London in late 2021.[5][6] He also trained with former NFL offensive lineman LeCharles Bentley.[7]
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Arizona Cardinals
In 2022, Ndubuisi was chosen as one of the participants in the NFL's International Player Pathway Program (IPPP), being allocated to the Arizona Cardinals as an offensive tackle.[7][8][4] He appeared in the team's first preseason game, appearing on two snaps, but was released afterwards on 14 August.[8]
Denver Broncos
Ndubuisi returned to the IPPP in 2023 and was allocated to the Denver Broncos, with his position being switched to the defensive line.[9][10] In his first preseason game with the team, he posted two tackles.[3] He was waived on 29 August 2023, and re-signed to the practice squad.[11][12] He was not signed to a reserve/future contract and thus became a free agent at the end of the season.[13]
San Antonio Brahmas
On 1 February 2024, Ndubuisi signed with the San Antonio Brahmas of the United Football League (UFL).[14] He was waived on 12 February 2024.[15]
Washington Commanders
On 3 April 2024, Ndubuisi signed with the Washington Commanders.[16] He was waived on 27 August 2024 and joined their practice squad the following day.[17]
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