Podcast Summary: “From NFL to TV Stardom: Akbar Gbajabiamila on Identity, Addiction & Resilience”

We're Out of Time with Richard Taite

Date: January 13, 2026
Guest: Akbar Gbajabiamila – former NFL player, TV host, podcaster

Episode Overview

In this raw, insightful conversation, host Richard Taite sits down with Akbar Gbajabiamila to explore the winding journey from Akbar’s NFL career to television stardom, how family and cultural identity shaped his resilience, overcoming addiction, and the ongoing challenges of reinvention. The discussion touches candidly on issues including parental loss, financial hardship, identity crises after sport, and the broader significance of hope, legacy, and responsibility in challenging times.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Family, Heritage, and Identity

• Nigerian Roots & Family Legacy
  • Akbar shares the rich story behind his name and family lineage, tracing it from a village nickname to a unique family identity in Nigeria.

    “Akbar means great…Bajabiyamila is big man, come save me. My great great grandfather…a seven foot guy who was a mediator in his village.” (01:45)

  • Recounts a powerful visit to Nigeria with his father after 32 years away, witnessing his father’s emotional return home and meeting his grandmother for the first time. (03:29–05:50)
• Parental Influence on Resilience
  • Akbar credits his parents’ work ethic—as self-made business owners—and their insistence on perseverance as foundational to his own resilience.

    “You start something, you finish it…They never let you off the hook on anything.” (09:13)

2. Loss, Growth, and Pride

• Mother’s Tragic Passing
  • Akbar describes losing his mother in a car accident during his senior year of college, and the complicated mix of sadness and legacy she left behind.

    “Her first grandchild…was born the day my mom passed away.” (10:20)

• Father’s Illness and Enduring Pride
  • Talks about working through his father’s Parkinson’s diagnosis and the meaningful impact of hearing his father express pride.

    “Hearing ‘I’m proud of you’ a thousand times...not as impactful as when you save it for the right time.” (11:07)

3. NFL Journey & Transition to Television

• Making It Against the Odds
  • Akbar reflects on not dreaming of the NFL (his original passion was basketball) but ultimately finding “the only thing I know that I'd worked so hard for for so long.” (12:21)
  • Memorable story about his “first sack” in the NFL and the camaraderie with teammates like Warren Sapp.

    “Warren Sapp looked over at me: ‘Hey, you popped your first cherry.’” (13:55)

• Identity Crisis After Sports
  • Candidly details how leaving pro sports triggers an existential crisis, comparing it to the retirement struggles of older adults:

    “When they retire, they go, wait, nobody needs me…You’re going through an entire identity crisis.” (16:16)

  • Akbar describes his own depression and isolation before taking a leap into broadcasting—working for free for two years to reinvent himself.

    “I took a leap of faith...leveraged that equity...internship for myself...did it for free.” (18:07–19:13)

4. Financial Struggles and Perseverance

• Sacrifice and Support
  • Shares moving back into his father’s house with his own family while money ran low, and the doubts that followed.

    “I had gotten down to my last $40,000 left in my bank account after playing in the NFL because I worked for free for two years.” (21:27)

  • Took a detour selling artificial turf before sneaking off to an NFL Network audition, which reignited his career. (23:01–24:13)
• Role of Fatherhood
  • Host and Akbar agree: kids can be the motivation behind career pivots and renewed drive.

    “Children don’t cost you money, they make you money…Because it lights a fire under your butt.” (24:17)

5. Finding and Creating New Purpose

• The Pivot After The Talk
  • With traditional entertainment in flux, Akbar discusses the challenge and opportunity of reinvention:

    “It’s so hard to concentrate…when there’s a lot of noise or people saying you should do this or that.” (25:23)

• New Project: 154 Africa Podcast
  • Launched a podcast to share and connect first and second-generation African success stories globally.

    “What if we told the stories…to inspire all of those who were watching, not just here, but also over on the continent?” (27:35)

6. Underdog Mentality, Humility, and Perception

• Carrying a Chip on His Shoulder
  • Despite success, Akbar shares how he approaches his career as the perpetual underdog—even as the host points out his charisma and presence.

    “I wear this chip on my shoulder as an underdog, because I do feel like an underdog…Like, that’s fraudulent…No, it’s not fraudulent.” (29:55–30:10)

7. Football and Health – Brain Injury to Painkiller Addiction

• Football’s Risks and Choices
  • Discusses NFL head injuries, safety innovations, and the inevitability of risk in contact sports.

    “You can’t legislate the violence out of football…But it’s also a choice that a lot of athletes make.” (31:27–34:03)

• Opioid Addiction Post-NFL
  • Opens up about an unexpected dependency on Vicodin, with his wife intervening to help him see the problem.

    “I did develop a habit after I got out of the NFL…using Vicodin for the pain…I didn’t know. I took so much of it…I didn’t even know.” (38:05–39:13)

• Addiction, Relapse, and Sugar

  • Draws parallels between opioid recovery and dealing with his “other S word” struggle—sugar addiction—resulting in a candid exploration of relapse and the root of dependency.

    “The one addiction that I’m really trying to break…and it’s actually made me relate to relatives and people I know who struggle with addiction in that way…is sugar.” (40:29)

  • Richard Taite offers practical advice and introduces the use of GLP-1 medications like Zepbound as tools for breaking compulsive habits. (43:20–46:21)

8. American Ninja Warrior and Longer-Term Identity

• Host of 14 Seasons – Longer Than NFL Career

  • Akbar finds fulfillment in his television career, especially in celebrating ‘ordinary’ people overcoming obstacles.

    “I’ve been doing Ninja Warrior for 14 years. It’s been one of the most rewarding jobs because I get to celebrate the athletes…these are everyday people who are doing extraordinary things.” (47:13)

• Personal Challenge and Overcoming Fear

  • Training to run the Ninja course himself, Akbar faced injury and fear but found it “one of the most gratifying things” in his life. (48:20–49:54)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Present-Moment Urgency:
  “It’s so easy to take for granted now…You just think now will always come. And we don’t know that.” – Akbar (07:48)

• On Parent Pride:
  “Hearing ‘I’m proud of you’ a thousand times…not as impactful as when you save it for the right time.” – Akbar (11:07)

• On Transition After Football:
  “I moved through pain is really what I did…In order for me to transition, I had to move through pain.” – Akbar (18:07)

• On Reinvention and Taking Risks:
  “How badly do you want it?...I had a high school coach…he was like, how badly do you want it?” – Akbar (20:45)

• On Sugar as Addiction:
  “The one addiction that I’m really trying to break…and it’s actually made me relate to relatives and people I know who struggle with addiction in that way…is sugar.” – Akbar (40:29)

Important Timestamps for Key Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | |------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:45 | Akbar explains the meaning and origin of his full name | | 03:29 | Visiting Nigeria and meeting his grandmother with his father | | 09:13 | Parents’ resilience and lesson of finishing what you start | | 10:20 | Loss of mother and impact on family | | 12:21 | NFL dreams vs. TV career highlights | | 16:16 | The identity crisis after pro football | | 18:07 | Transitioning to media, working for free | | 21:27 | Story of moving back in with family in hard times | | 23:24 | Secret NFL Network audition and career rebirth | | 24:17 | Fatherhood as motivation | | 27:35 | Launching the “154 Africa” podcast | | 29:55 | Akbar's "underdog mentality" | | 31:27 | Akbar on NFL risks and culture of violence in football | | 38:05 | Opioid (Vicodin) dependency and recovery | | 40:29 | Sugar addiction and its challenges | | 43:20 | Addiction treatment: new medications and strategies | | 47:13 | Reflections on American Ninja Warrior and meaning | | 48:20 | Running the Ninja course—fear and fulfillment |

Final Takeaways

• Persistent Reinvention: Akbar’s journey underscores the courage required to reinvent identity—pivoting from NFL to broadcasting, working for free, and enduring doubts.
• Family & Heritage as Anchors: Deep pride in Nigerian roots and family story; echoing the importance of belonging and intergenerational support.
• Honest Talk on Addiction: From painkillers to sugar, Akbar’s candor illuminates how addiction can look different for everyone—and why vigilance and support matter.
• Hope in Vulnerability: The strength to share failures, setbacks, and second starts is as valuable as any championship ring or Emmy nomination.

Where to Find Akbar

• Social: @akbar_gbaja on Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, Facebook
• Podcast: “154 Africa” — sharing stories of African diaspora across continents

Tone: Genuine, candid, uplifting, with a mix of humility and humor throughout.
Host Richard Taite and Akbar share an affinity for confronting uncomfortable truths, offering practical wisdom, and celebrating the “underdog” in us all.