Dare Ogunbowale Bio
Oluwadare “Dare” Ogunbowale (born May 4, 1994) is an American professional football running back for the Houston Texans of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 5 feet 11 inches tall and listed at 209 pounds, he has built his career as a special teams contributor and versatile reserve back, valued for his work ethic and ability to step into multiple roles.
After beginning his college career as a walk-on at the University of Wisconsin, Ogunbowale signed with the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent in 2017. He has since spent time with several NFL organizations, carving out a steady role as a reliable depth player and team leader.
Early Life and Background
Ogunbowale was born on May 4, 1994, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He grew up in a bicultural household with an American mother and a father who had immigrated from Nigeria. That blend of influences shaped his grounded personality and his appreciation for the discipline required at the highest levels of football.
He attended Marquette University High School in Milwaukee, where he was a four-sport athlete, competing in football, soccer, basketball, and track. The variety of sports helped him develop the footwork, conditioning, and competitive toughness that would later define his professional career.
Ogunbowale comes from a deeply athletic family. His younger sister, Arike Ogunbowale, is a professional basketball player for the Dallas Wings of the WNBA, and the two have been regarded as one of the most accomplished athletic sibling pairs in American sports.
Path to American Football
Ogunbowale arrived at the University of Wisconsin in 2012 without an athletic scholarship, walking onto the Badgers football team as a cornerback. Coaches soon moved him to running back, a position that better suited his vision, balance, and physical style of play.
By the time he finished his senior season, Ogunbowale had piled up more than 2,000 total yards and 15 total touchdowns. His teammates voted him team captain in his final year, a rare honor for a former walk-on and a sign of the respect he had earned in a talent-rich program.
Following a 2014 game against Nebraska, Ogunbowale received a burst of national attention for an unexpected reason. Sports Illustrated editors mistakenly used a photo of him in a feature that was meant to highlight star running back Melvin Gordon, giving the young walk-on a memorable brush with the spotlight.
Dare Ogunbowale Career
Early Career (2017)
Ogunbowale signed with the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent on May 16, 2017, beginning a long road on the margins of NFL rosters. He was waived early in the season and bounced to the Texans’ practice squad before being released in October.
Within weeks, he was on the move again, joining the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ practice squad in late November 2017. A short time later, on December 12, 2017, he was signed to the Washington Redskins’ practice squad, was promoted to the active roster on December 22, and then waived on March 6, 2018, completing a whirlwind first professional season.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Breakthrough (2018–2019)
On August 2, 2018, Ogunbowale signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was waived and re-signed to the practice squad before a series of roster moves eventually led to his promotion to the active roster on November 13, 2018. He signed a reserve/future contract with the Buccaneers at the end of December.
In the 2019 season, Ogunbowale emerged as a respected presence in Tampa Bay’s locker room. He was voted a team captain and finished the year with 35 receptions for 286 receiving yards, 11 carries for 17 rushing yards, and two rushing touchdowns, showing he could contribute as a pass-catching back and a team leader.
He was waived by the Buccaneers on September 5, 2020, but his body of work in Tampa Bay established him as a serviceable NFL player capable of handling special teams duties and contributing on offense when called upon.
Jacksonville Jaguars Era (2020–2021)
On September 10, 2020, Ogunbowale signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars, giving him a fresh opportunity to compete for roster security. The Jaguars liked what they saw, and on April 19, 2021, they re-signed him as an exclusive-rights free agent.
Across his two seasons in Jacksonville, Ogunbowale continued to build his reputation as a dependable special teams performer and a reliable locker-room voice, the kind of player coaches keep on the field for situational value rather than raw stat production.
Houston Texans Era (2022–Present)
On March 23, 2022, Ogunbowale signed a two-year, $3.3 million contract with the Houston Texans, returning to the franchise that had first signed him as a rookie. He became a fixture in the team’s running back room and a regular on special teams coverage units.
On November 5, 2023, in a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Ogunbowale was pressed into emergency duty as the Texans’ placekicker after an injury to starter Ka’imi Fairbairn. In the fourth quarter, he became the first non-kicker to make a field goal in a regular season game since Wes Welker did so in 2004, and the Texans held on for a 39–37 win. On April 22, 2024, the Texans re-signed him, and in Week 4 of that season he scored the game-winning touchdown in a 24–20 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars. On March 5, 2025, he re-signed with the Texans on a one-year, $2 million deal.
Driving Style and Strengths
Ogunbowale’s professional value rests on intelligence, versatility, and steady hands. He is a trusted special teams player who can also contribute as a third-down back, and his calm approach under pressure has allowed him to handle unusual assignments, including his emergency kicking duty in 2023.
Notable Events and Milestones
The 2023 emergency kicking performance stands as the defining moment of Ogunbowale’s career, a play that placed him in a historic statistical line with Wes Welker. His Week 4 game-winning touchdown against the Jaguars in 2024 reinforced his reputation for delivering in tight situations.
Dare Ogunbowale Career Wins
While Ogunbowale is not a featured starter in any one backfield, his career has been defined by team victories tied directly to his contributions. The Texans’ 39–37 win over the Buccaneers in 2023, in which he made a field goal as an emergency kicker, and the 24–20 victory over the Jaguars in 2024, in which he scored the game-winning touchdown, are the clearest examples of his on-field impact in the NFL.
Dare Ogunbowale Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Ogunbowale’s athletic family background has been a defining part of his story. He was raised in Milwaukee by an American mother and a Nigerian immigrant father, and that mix of cultures helped shape his grounded approach to sport and life.
Personal Life
His younger sister, Arike Ogunbowale, is a professional basketball player for the Dallas Wings of the WNBA. The Ogunbowale siblings are widely viewed as one of the more accomplished brother-sister duos in American professional sports, with Dare excelling in the NFL and Arike as a star guard in women’s basketball.
2025 Season Performance
Ogunbowale enters the 2025 season on a one-year, $2 million contract with the Houston Texans after re-signing in March 2025. The deal reflects the organization’s continued confidence in him as a special teams stalwart and a depth piece in the backfield.
His role in 2025 is expected to mirror his previous stint with the Texans, focusing on coverage units, short-yardage situations, and pass protection, while remaining ready to step in at running back if injuries strike. Coaches have consistently praised his preparation and leadership in meeting rooms.
With the Texans continuing to build around a young core, Ogunbowale’s steady veteran presence offers a stabilizing force. His 2025 outlook centers on contributing the kind of unsung plays that keep a roster healthy, competitive, and prepared for the long grind of an NFL season.