Nnamdi Asomugha
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Career Summary
Nnamdi Asomugha was an NFL cornerback who later became an actor, producer and philanthropist.
Nnamdi Asomugha played 11 NFL seasons as a defensive back for the Raiders, Eagles and 49ers. He then established a career in entertainment while continuing education-focused philanthropy.
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Early Life
Asomugha was born in Lafayette, Louisiana, and his Nigerian name means Jesus Lives.
Asomugha was born July 6, 1981, in Lafayette, Louisiana. Cal's player biography notes that his Nigerian name means Jesus Lives.
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High School
At Narbonne High School, Asomugha was a nationally recruited defensive-back prospect and a multi-sport athlete.
Asomugha attended Narbonne High School in Los Angeles. As a senior, he recorded 86 tackles and seven interceptions, and also contributed as a receiver and quarterback.
His honors included first-team all-state recognition, PrepStar All-America status and a place among SuperPrep's top 20 defensive backs nationally. He was also an all-league basketball player.
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College Career
Asomugha was a productive Cal safety whose 134 career tackles led returning Bears heading into his senior season.
At California, Asomugha played safety and totaled 134 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, three sacks and four interceptions over his first three seasons. He started 20 games in his final two seasons before entering the NFL.
His 2001 highlights included two interceptions, two passes defensed and a 16-yard interception return touchdown in the Big Game against Stanford.
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Path to the NFL
Oakland selected Asomugha in the first round of the 2003 NFL Draft.
The Raiders made Asomugha their top pick in the 2003 NFL Draft. He entered the league after a Cal career at safety and developed into a cornerback in Oakland.
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NFL Career
Asomugha played 157 NFL games, recording 368 tackles, 80 passes defensed and 15 interceptions.
Asomugha appeared in 157 NFL games from 2003 through 2013. His career totals include 368 tackles, 80 passes defensed, 15 interceptions, two sacks and one interception touchdown.
He played with the Raiders through 2010, then spent two seasons with Philadelphia and three games with San Francisco in 2013.
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Career Accomplishments
Asomugha earned multiple Pro Bowl and All-Pro selections during his Raiders tenure.
Asomugha's Raiders career included his first Pro Bowl selection after the 2008 season and Associated Press All-Pro recognition that year. USC describes his NFL career as including multiple All-Pro and Pro Bowl selections.
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Playing Style
Asomugha combined safety experience with the size and playmaking ability that helped him become an elite NFL cornerback.
Cal described Asomugha as an intelligent defensive back who swarmed to the ball and made big plays. His transition from college safety to NFL cornerback produced 80 career passes defensed and 15 interceptions.
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Legacy
Asomugha's impact extends from All-Pro football to a foundation supporting educational opportunity.
Asomugha used his NFL platform to create The Asomugha Foundation in 2010. The organization supports disadvantaged youth in the United States and underprivileged orphans and widows in Africa through education and empowerment.
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Post-Career
Asomugha founded iAm21 Entertainment and built an acting and producing career after football.
In 2015, Asomugha founded iAm21 Entertainment, a production company focused on social issues and change. His breakout acting role in Crown Heights earned Best Supporting Actor nominations from the Independent Spirit Awards and NAACP Image Awards.
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20150, 00-0022077, 1981-07-06, Nnamdi Asomugha, Nnamdi, Asomugha
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