Amen Ogbongbemiga Bio
Amen Ogbongbemiga is a Nigerian professional American football linebacker for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighing around 228 pounds, he plays a physical brand of defense built on speed, instincts, and special teams toughness. Ogbongbemiga signed with the Bears in March 2024 after beginning his professional career as an undrafted free agent with the Los Angeles Chargers. He has since become a reliable contributor on defense and special teams in Chicago.
Early Life and Background
Amen Ogbongbemiga was born on 4 September 1998, in Lagos, Nigeria. His family moved to Houston, Texas, in 2003, giving him his first taste of life in the United States as a young child. In 2011, the family relocated again, this time settling in Calgary, Alberta, where Ogbongbemiga would spend his formative teenage years and grow into a serious football prospect. The repeated international moves helped shape his adaptability, a quality that has carried into his professional career.
He attended Notre Dame High School in Calgary, where he emerged as one of the top defensive players in the Canadian high school system. During his junior year, he recorded 104 tackles, three sacks, 13 tackles for loss, four forced fumbles, and two recoveries, putting him on the radar of college recruiters south of the border. As a senior, he added 110 tackles, 15 for loss, four sacks, five forced fumbles, and three recoveries, earning first-team all-district honors and team MVP recognition. He helped Notre Dame put together 37 consecutive victories, a run that nearly matched the all-time Canadian high school record, and was a three-time Academic Honor Roll selection. In addition to football, Ogbongbemiga also competed in track and field.
Path to American Football
Ogbongbemiga chose to pursue his football future in the United States, accepting a scholarship to Oklahoma State University. The Cowboys compete in the Big 12 Conference, one of the most competitive leagues in college football, providing Ogbongbemiga with a clear pathway to high-level competition. He enrolled in 2016 and immediately began the disciplined process of adjusting to the speed and physicality of the NCAA game. His combination of athleticism, tackling ability, and football intelligence allowed him to climb the depth chart quickly.
His progression at Oklahoma State was steady and impressive, marked by repeated academic and athletic recognition. By his sophomore year he had earned a starting role and a reputation as a reliable defender and special teams contributor. Over the course of his college career, he became a team captain multiple times and was widely respected inside the program. Following his senior season, Ogbongbemiga chose to forgo any remaining eligibility and declared for the 2021 NFL Draft, ending a successful stint in Stillwater.
Amen Ogbongbemiga Career
College Career (2016–2020)
Ogbongbemiga arrived at Oklahoma State in 2016 and redshirted his true freshman year, preserving a season of eligibility. As a redshirt freshman, he appeared in 12 games and posted 16 tackles with 13 solo stops, earning first-team Academic All-Big 12 honors. His best performance came against Pittsburgh, where he recorded a season-high five tackles, and he added tackles for loss against South Alabama and Baylor.
During his sophomore campaign, Ogbongbemiga played in all 13 games and logged 12 tackles, three for loss, 1.5 sacks, and a fumble recovery. He was named team captain for the rivalry game against Oklahoma, where he recorded a sack of quarterback Kyler Murray, and matched his season high with three tackles against South Alabama. He also delivered a key blocked punt in a win over Boise State and led Oklahoma State special teamers with six tackles, earning the OSU Outstanding Special Teams Player award along with another Academic All-Big 12 selection.
Los Angeles Chargers Era (2021–2023)
After going unselected in the 2021 NFL Draft, Ogbongbemiga signed as an undrafted free agent with the Los Angeles Chargers. Three days later, he was also chosen with the eighth overall pick in the 2021 CFL Draft by the Calgary Stampeders, though he ultimately pursued his NFL opportunity. He made the Chargers’ final roster as a rookie and appeared in 15 games, recording 26 tackles while contributing on special teams. His quick adaptation earned him a place in the team’s defensive rotation.
In 2022, Ogbongbemiga appeared in all 17 games for the Chargers, though none as a starter, and totaled six tackles. He also played in the team’s playoff loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, where he recovered a fumble. His third season in Los Angeles saw him play 15 games and record four tackles along with two more fumble recoveries. By the end of the 2023 campaign, he had proven himself as a reliable depth linebacker and core special teams player.
Chicago Bears Era (2024–Present)
On 14 March 2024, Ogbongbemiga signed with the Chicago Bears, beginning a new chapter in his career. In his first season in Chicago, he played in all 17 games and logged a sack along with 13 combined tackles, offering valuable depth at linebacker. His special teams work remained a key part of his role, and he quickly earned the trust of the coaching staff.
On 6 March 2025, Ogbongbemiga re-signed with the Bears on a two-year, $5 million contract, signaling the organization’s confidence in his development. After starting the season exclusively on special teams, he saw his first defensive action in Week 12 against the Pittsburgh Steelers due to injuries elsewhere on the defense. He responded with a career-high 40 defensive snaps and 14 tackles, the second most on the team, helping the Bears secure a 31–28 victory.
Driving Style and Strengths
Ogbongbemiga is widely regarded as a fast, instinctive linebacker who thrives in space and on special teams. His track and field background shows up in his range and pursuit angles, allowing him to chase down ball carriers sideline to sideline. He is also a smart, assignment-sound player who reads plays quickly and finishes tackles, traits that have made him a trusted option in nickel and dime packages. His special teams background gives him additional value on coverage and return units.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Ogbongbemiga’s college career came during his senior season against TCU, when he recorded three forced fumbles in under 19 minutes, falling just one shy of the NCAA single-game record. That performance earned him Big 12 Player of the Week honors and underscored his nose for the football. In the NFL, his Week 12 performance against Pittsburgh in 2025 marked a career milestone, as he logged a personal-best 40 defensive snaps and 14 tackles in a narrow Bears win.
Amen Ogbongbemiga Career Highlights
Across the NFL and CFL levels, Ogbongbemiga has built his resume on reliability, special teams excellence, and timely defensive contributions. While he entered the league as an undrafted free agent, he has remained on an active roster every year since 2021. He has recorded tackles, sacks, and fumble recoveries at both the professional and collegiate levels, and he has earned repeated academic recognition throughout his career.
NFL Highlights
Ogbongbemiga’s NFL journey began with the Los Angeles Chargers, where he appeared in 47 regular season games across three seasons and contributed on defense and special teams. He added a playoff appearance in 2022 and recovered fumbles in both 2022 and 2023. With the Chicago Bears, he has played in all 17 games in 2024 and re-signed on a two-year, $5 million contract in March 2025, reflecting his growing value to the team.
College and Other Performances
At Oklahoma State, Ogbongbemiga was a multi-year team captain and a two-time Second-team All-Big 12 selection in 2019 and 2020. He also earned the Leslie O’Neal Award as Oklahoma State’s best defensive player and was a four-time First-team Academic All-Big 12 honoree. He was a semifinalist for the Lott IMPACT Trophy in his senior season and helped lead a Notre Dame high school program to 37 consecutive victories.
Amen Ogbongbemiga Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Ogbongbemiga comes from a Nigerian family with strong athletic ties. His brother, Alex, played in the Canadian Football League, giving the family connections on both sides of the border. The repeated family relocations from Lagos to Houston and then to Calgary created a household that valued adaptability, education, and sport.
Personal Life
Off the field, Ogbongbemiga is known for his academic achievements, having been a multi-year Academic Honor Roll selection in high school and a four-time First-team Academic All-Big 12 honoree in college. He currently resides in Calgary, Alberta, and continues to represent his Nigerian heritage while building his career in the American game.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has marked an important step forward for Ogbongbemiga with the Chicago Bears. After re-signing on a two-year, $5 million contract in March, he opened the year working primarily on special teams while waiting for his opportunity on defense. That opportunity came in Week 12 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, when injuries forced the Bears to expand his role. He delivered with a career-high 14 tackles and 40 defensive snaps in a 31–28 victory, immediately justifying the team’s investment in him.
His emergence as a defensive contributor has reshaped the Bears’ linebacker picture heading into the latter portion of the 2025 season. With increased playing time, Ogbongbemiga now has a chance to cement a larger role in the defensive rotation. Coaches have praised his preparation and special teams background, both of which appear to have accelerated his transition into a more prominent defensive role. The Week 12 performance may well serve as a launching point for an expanded late-season workload.