Amen Ogbongbemiga Bio
Amen Ogbongbemiga is a Nigerian professional American football linebacker. Born on September 4, 1998, in Lagos, Nigeria, he rose from youth football in Canada to the National Football League (NFL), where he has built his career as a reliable defensive contributor and special teams player. He has played for the Los Angeles Chargers and the Chicago Bears, earning recognition for his tackling, leadership, and versatility on defense.
Ogbongbemiga played college football at Oklahoma State University, where he developed into one of the Big 12 Conference’s most productive linebackers. A two-time Second-team All-Big 12 selection, he combined athletic ability with academic excellence, earning multiple Academic All-Big 12 honors throughout his college career.
Early Life and Background
Amen Ogbongbemiga was born on September 4, 1998, in Lagos, Nigeria. His family later moved to Houston, Texas, in 2003, where he spent his early childhood years before relocating again to Calgary, Alberta, in 2011. He eventually settled in Calgary and attended Notre Dame High School, where he emerged as a standout football prospect.
During his high school career, Ogbongbemiga recorded 110 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, four sacks, five forced fumbles, and three recoveries across his junior and senior seasons. In his junior year alone, he posted 104 tackles, three sacks, 13 tackles for loss, four forced fumbles, and two recoveries, and was recognized as first-team all-district and team MVP in his senior year. He also competed in track and field at Notre Dame and was a three-time Academic Honor Roll selection.
Path to American Football
Ogbongbemiga’s path to professional football began in Canada, where he developed his skills in one of North America’s most competitive high school football environments. His impressive high school production drew the attention of United States college recruiters, and he ultimately chose to attend Oklahoma State University, a program with a strong tradition of producing NFL-caliber linebackers.
Beyond football, Ogbongbemiga stood out academically from an early stage, repeatedly being named to academic honor rolls. His blend of athletic production and classroom discipline helped position him for a successful transition to the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level, where he would spend the next five years refining his craft as a linebacker.
Amen Ogbongbemiga Career
Early Career (2016–2020)
Ogbongbemiga enrolled at Oklahoma State University in 2016 and redshirted his true freshman season. As a redshirt freshman, he played in 12 games and recorded 16 tackles with 13 solo stops, earning first-team Academic All-Big 12 honors. His season-high five tackles came against Pittsburgh, signaling his readiness for a larger role.
During his sophomore year, Ogbongbemiga appeared in all 13 games, finishing with 12 tackles, three tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and a fumble recovery. He recorded a sack of eventual NFL star Kyler Murray in the rivalry game against Oklahoma and delivered a season-high three tackles in that contest. He was recognized with the Oklahoma State Outstanding Special Teams Player award after leading the team’s special teams unit with six tackles.
Oklahoma State Breakthrough (2019–2020)
Ogbongbemiga’s junior season in 2019 marked his true breakthrough at the college level. Voted team captain, he finished the year ranked sixth in the Big 12 with 100 tackles, while leading Oklahoma State with 15.5 tackles for loss and five sacks. He earned Second-team All-Big 12 honors, First-team Academic All-Big 12 recognition, and the Leslie O’Neal Award as the team’s best defensive player.
As a senior in 2020, Ogbongbemiga started every game and served as game captain in contests against Kansas, Oklahoma, Baylor, and Miami. He recorded 81 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and three quarterback hurries, leading the Cowboys in tackles in six of eleven games. Against TCU, he forced three fumbles in under 19 minutes, just one shy of the NCAA single-game record, and was named Big 12 Player of the Week. Following the season, he chose to forgo his remaining eligibility and declared for the 2021 NFL Draft.
Los Angeles Chargers Era (2021–2023)
After going unselected in the 2021 NFL Draft, Ogbongbemiga signed with the Los Angeles Chargers as an undrafted free agent. Three days later, he was also selected with the eighth overall pick in the 2021 CFL Draft by the Calgary Stampeders. He made the Chargers’ final roster as a rookie and appeared in 15 games, recording 26 tackles while contributing on special teams.
In 2022, Ogbongbemiga played all 17 games for the Chargers, though none as a starter, and finished with six tackles. He also appeared in the team’s playoff loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, where he recovered a fumble. During his third season in 2023, he played 15 games, recorded four tackles, and recovered two fumbles, demonstrating consistency in his reserve role.
Chicago Bears Era (2024–Present)
On March 14, 2024, Ogbongbemiga signed with the Chicago Bears as a free agent. He played in all 17 games during his first season in Chicago, logging a sack and 13 combined tackles while contributing extensively on special teams. His veteran presence and reliability helped anchor the Bears’ linebacker and special teams units.
On March 6, 2025, Ogbongbemiga re-signed with the Bears on a two-year, $5 million contract. After starting the season primarily on special teams, he saw his first defensive action in Week 12 against the Pittsburgh Steelers due to injuries. He recorded a career-high 40 snaps and 14 tackles, the second most on the team, as Chicago won 31–28.
Driving Style and Strengths
Ogbongbemiga is recognized for his tackling consistency, special teams value, and disciplined play. He excels at reading plays quickly and finishing tackles in space, while also offering pass-rush upside from the linebacker position. His academic background and football intelligence allow him to process offensive schemes effectively, making him a trusted reserve and rotational defender.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of Ogbongbemiga’s most memorable career moments came in college, when he forced three fumbles against TCU in under 19 minutes. In the NFL, his 2025 Week 12 performance against Pittsburgh, with 14 tackles and a career-high 40 defensive snaps, marked his most significant professional contribution to date. He also made history as both an NFL undrafted free agent signee and a CFL first-round draft choice in the same week.
Amen Ogbongbemiga Career Statistics
Through the 2025 NFL season, Amen Ogbongbemiga has appeared in regular-season games for the Los Angeles Chargers and the Chicago Bears. He has recorded 66 total tackles, 2 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries, and 1 pass deflection across his NFL career, while contributing extensively on special teams.
Los Angeles Chargers Highlights
With the Chargers, Ogbongbemiga appeared in 47 regular-season games over three seasons. His most productive year came as a rookie in 2021, when he posted 26 tackles. He also appeared in one playoff game, recovering a fumble against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2022 postseason.
Chicago Bears Highlights
In his first season with the Bears in 2024, Ogbongbemiga played all 17 games and recorded a sack along with 13 combined tackles. In 2025, he posted a career-high 14 tackles in a single game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, signaling an expanded defensive role late in the season.
Amen Ogbongbemiga Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
While Ogbongbemiga’s own background is rooted in football rather than motorsports, his family carries a strong athletic tradition. His brother, Alex Ogbongbemiga, played in the Canadian Football League, giving the family representation in both the NFL and CFL. The brothers’ shared football journey reflects a household that valued competitive sport and academic achievement.
Personal Life
Amen Ogbongbemiga currently resides in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, during the NFL offseason. He is known for his academic dedication, having earned multiple Academic All-Big 12 selections during his college career. He maintains close ties to his family, including his brother Alex, whose professional football career helped pave the way for Amen’s own path in the sport.
2025 Season Performance
Amen Ogbongbemiga entered the 2025 NFL season with the Chicago Bears after re-signing on a two-year, $5 million contract in March 2025. He began the year primarily in a special teams role, providing veteran leadership and reliable tackling on coverage units. His role on defense was limited early in the season, but his steady contributions helped maintain team depth at the linebacker position.
Ogbongbemiga’s 2025 campaign reached a turning point in Week 12 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, when injuries in the linebacker group opened the door for expanded defensive snaps. He responded with 14 tackles and a career-high 40 defensive snaps, the second-highest total on the team, in a 31–28 Bears victory. The performance showcased his readiness for a larger defensive role.
Looking ahead, Ogbongbemiga’s blend of special teams value and growing defensive capability positions him as a key depth piece for Chicago. With one season remaining on his contract, his trajectory suggests continued opportunity to contribute on defense while anchoring the team’s special teams units throughout the remainder of the 2025 campaign.
