Akbar Oluwakemi-Idowu Gbajabiamila(named in some sources as Gbaja-Biamila, born May 6, 1979) is an American former professional football player in the National Football League (NFL) who is a commentator and co-host of American Ninja Warrior and its spinoff American Ninja Warrior Junior. He is also an analyst for the NFL Network, co-hosting the flagship morning show Good Morning Football (and syndicated spinoff/extension show Good Morning Football: Overtime) and was a co-host of The Talk on CBS from 2021 to 2024.
Gbajabiamila is Nigerian-American and grew up in the Crenshaw district of Los Angeles with his mother and father, both of whom were born and raised in Nigeria, and his six siblings. Among his siblings is former Green Bay Packers defensive end Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila. Before starting his professional career, Gbajabiamila played college football for the San Diego State Aztecs. He was signed by the Oakland Raiders as an undrafted free agent in 2003. Gbajabiamila played for two other teams, the San Diego Chargers and Miami Dolphins.
Gbajabiamila is also an author, having released his first book, Everyone Can Be a Ninja on May 7, 2019.
Early life
Akbar Oluwakemi-Idowu Gbajabiamila was born on May 6, 1979, in Los Angeles, California, to Nigerian immigrant parents. He is one of seven children. He grew up in Crenshaw District, and attended Crenshaw High School in South Los Angeles, where he was a star basketball player on teams that were part of the Willie West Jr. coaching era. Gbajabiamila moved to play football during his senior year. He was an all-league and all-conference choice. He was also named the team's defensive lineman of the year, compiling 11 sacks and 74 tackles in his senior campaign.
Oakland Raiders
Gbajabiamila went undrafted in the 2003 NFL draft and later signed with the Oakland Raiders as a free agent. He made the team out of training camp and played in 13 of the team's 16 regular season games. with his first and only sack of the season coming against Daunte Culpepper, then with the Minnesota Vikings.
In 2004, Gbajabiamila split time between defensive end and linebacker, occasionally filling in for players such as Travian Smith and Tyler Brayton. He appeared in 14 games for the Raiders during the regular season and was inactive for two games. He accumulated a career-high 14 tackles (11 solo) and added a sack on the year. He spent the season out of football.
Oakland Raiders (second stint)
Gbajabiamila briefly returned to the Raiders in 2008, but did not appear in a game and was released before the start of the season.
Other
In 2005, Gbajabiamila was selected as one of the NFL's first athletes into their Broadcast Boot Camp, held in Mount Laurel, N.J., and designed to give 20 players a short and rigorous look into the skills needed to embark on a broadcast or journalism career after their playing careers. He also took advantage of some time between playing stints to volunteer at KSWB, the NBC affiliate in San Diego, and ended up as the co-host for Football Night in San Diego. He hosted the show for two and a half seasons (2006–2008) before getting one last shot in the NFL with the Miami Dolphins.
Television career
With his playing career over, Gbajabiamila turned his focus to the broadcast booth in addition to his philanthropic work, serving as an analyst for the Mtn. Network and CBS Sports Network for two years, while also taking voice and acting classes. He also founded Rush The Passer, a year-round athletic, academic, and life skills program for youth in Southern California.
In 2010 he was approached by reality producer Mark Burnett to be part of a three-man athlete team for his latest project on ABC, Expedition Impossible. The pair also co-hosts Team Ninja Warrior, a spin-off of American Ninja Warrior that debuted on Esquire Network in 2016, and American Ninja Warrior Junior together on Universal Kids in 2018.
On May 10, 2018, Gbajabiamila threw out the first pitch at Citizens Bank Park before a game between the San Francisco Giants and Philadelphia Phillies. The pitch was heavily criticized.
On September 2, 2021, it was announced that Akbar Gbajabiamila would join The Talk as a permanent co-host, and the second full-time male co-host on the show. Gbajabiamila appeared as a guest co-host on multiple episodes in June and July.
In 2024 Gbajabiamila co-hosted the "Stanley Pup," a special produced to air alongside the Stanley Cup playoffs. The program promoted pet adoption while showing 16 puppies with each dog representing one of the NHL 2024 playoff teams.
Personal life
Family and religion
Akbar is married and has four children. His wife is Chrystal Gbajabiamila. His ancestry is Nigerian of Yoruba ethnicity. Both of his parents were Muslim, until his mother converted to Christianity. He was raised in a Sunni Muslim household but converted to Christianity while in college. In 2000, his father, Mustapha, was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. In 2002, his mother, Bolatito, died in a car crash. While a member of the Chargers in 2006, Akbar routinely drove back and forth from San Diego to Los Angeles to spend time with his father.
Charity
Gbajabiamila currently serves as a board member for the Asomugha Foundation, an organization aimed at creating better educational opportunities for impoverished communities.