CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- It was early March and the clock was ticking. Carolina Panthers defensive lineman Efe Obada had to decide quickly whether to leave his home in London and return to the United States so he could begin training for the 2020 football season. If he stayed, it could have been indefinite because of an impending travel ban caused by the coronavirus.
Complicating the situation further: His wife has a systemic autoimmune disorder that makes her more susceptible to COVID-19.
There was a lot of praying, a lot of anxiety.
Ultimately, Obada chose to return to Charlotte, North Carolina, to continue his pursuit of an NFL career he hopes will give him and his family long-term financial security.