Obed Ariri
| No. 2, 5 | |
| Date of birth | April 4, 1956 |
|---|---|
| Place of birth | Owerri, Nigeria |
| Career information | |
| Position(s) | Kicker |
| College | Clemson |
| NFL draft | 1981 / Round: 7 / Pick: 178 |
| Career history | |
| As player | |
| 1983 | Washington Federals (USFL) |
| 1984 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
| 1987 | Washington Redskins |
| 1994 | Miami Hooters (AFL) |
| Career stats | |
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Obed Chukwuma Ariri (born April 4, 1956) is a Nigerian born former placekicker of American football in the National Football League for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Washington Redskins. He also played in the United States Football League for the Washington Federals and in the Arena Football League for the Miami Hooters. Ariri was born in Nigeria, and his middle name Chukwuma means "God Only Knows". He became a skilled soccer player and was scouted by Clemson University's then soccer coach Ibrahim M. Ibrahim. After watching him play in Nigeria, Ibrahim offered Ariri a soccer scholarship to Clemson on the spot. He is distinguished as being the first Nigerian to play in the National Football League.
Ariri was enrolled at Clemson in 1977 when Clemson football coach Charlie Pell was in dire need of a kicker. Dr. Ibrahim allowed Ariri to try out only if he agreed to continue to play soccer. Pell agreed, and Ariri went on to nail every attempt thus securing his place as the kicker for the Tigers. His scholarship was shifted to football and Pell insisted that Obed forget about soccer. Ariri never kicked a football until he was at Clemson.
He was so popular in campus during his Senior year that "Obed Ariri for the Heisman Trophy" bumper stickers were made up.
In 1979 Ariri was granted permission to play in the 1979 NCAA Division I National Soccer Championships at Tampa Stadium in Tampa, Florida. The Tigers lost 3-2 to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Ariri's performance during the game led to a job offer with the Chicago Sting of the North American Soccer League, where he made four appearances during the 1980 season.
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