Brendon Ayanbadejo
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Career Summary
Brendon Ayanbadejo was an NFL linebacker and special-teams standout who played 10 seasons and won Super Bowl XLVII with Baltimore.
Ayanbadejo appeared in 142 regular-season games for Miami, Chicago, and Baltimore, recording 190 tackles, 4.5 sacks, two interceptions, and five forced fumbles.
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College Career
Ayanbadejo played football at UCLA and later completed a bachelor's degree in history from the university.
UCLA identifies Ayanbadejo as a 1999 alumnus and former football player whose later NFL career included a Super Bowl championship.
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Path to the NFL
Ayanbadejo entered the NFL with Miami in 2003 and began building his career as a special-teams contributor and linebacker.
His rookie season reunited him with his brother Obafemi, making them the second pair of brothers to play for the Dolphins franchise.
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NFL Career
Ayanbadejo played three seasons with Miami, two with Chicago, and five with Baltimore.
He played in every regular-season game from 2003 through 2008, returned to Baltimore in 2008, and remained with the Ravens through their 2012 championship season.
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Sources for this section
Career Accomplishments
Ayanbadejo was a Super Bowl XLVII champion and three-time Pro Bowl special-teams selection.
During Baltimore's 2012 season, he contributed 30 defensive tackles, one sack, and a team-high 14 special-teams tackles. UCLA recognized him as a member of the Ravens team that won Super Bowl XLVII.
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Playing Style
Ayanbadejo's NFL value centered on special-teams excellence alongside adaptable linebacker play.
His career included two Pro Bowl special-teams selections and consistent defensive contributions, including seasons with Chicago and Baltimore in which he also forced fumbles and made plays at linebacker.
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Legacy
Ayanbadejo's legacy includes both championship football and public advocacy for LGBTQ equality in sports.
UCLA highlighted him as a former Bruin and outspoken advocate, and he participated in the university's Athlete Allies initiative addressing homophobia and bullying in sports.
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Post-Career
After football, Ayanbadejo combined advocacy, fitness work, and UCLA alumni engagement.
UCLA identified him as an Orangetheory Fitness area developer and featured his LGBTQ-rights advocacy in alumni programming. During the pandemic, he also led fitness classes for the Bruin community.
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19844, 00-0000551, 1976-09-06, Brendon Ayanbadejo, Brendon, Ayanbadejo
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