Star DT Shares Why He’ll Use His Birth Name in 2024 and Beyond

Justin Madubuike has established himself as one of the top defensive tackles in the NFL during the 2023 season. With his reputation solidified, Madubuike has decided to embrace his birth name, Nnamdi, in recognition of his heritage.

Nnamdi reflects his Nigerian roots, and Madubuike expressed his intent to use it moving forward. “Coming from Nigerian culture, our parents give us an American name as well as a Nigerian name,” Madubuike shared. “When we were kids, we were addressed by our Nigerian names.”

He continued, “For me, Nnamdi is the name that holds the most meaning. I believe in my heart that it’s my real name.”

The name Nnamdi translates to “my father’s son” or “my father’s legacy,” which influenced Madubuike’s decision to revert to it. Although Justin appears on his birth certificate, he has always been known as Nnamdi in his family. The inspiration for this change partly came from his teammate, Odafe Oweh, who transitioned from the name Jayson during his college years at Penn State and into his early NFL career.

Reflecting on his choice, Madubuike stated, “By learning from veteran players and embracing my history, I’m continually finding ways to improve each year. I just felt that keeping everything authentic in my life translates into being a better player and person.”

He added, “After I signed my contract, it became clear to me that it was time to embrace my real name. So, going forward, I will be known as Nnamdi.”

This offseason, Madubuike signed a four-year contract extension that positions him among the league’s highest-paid defensive tackles. His performance during the last season has been impactful, contributing significantly to the Baltimore Ravens’ defensive success.

Madubuike was a dominant force along the defensive line last season, recording 65 pressures, 13 sacks, and 33 quarterback hits, showcasing an impressive pressure rate of 13.4%. His efforts were crucial in securing Baltimore’s position as the team with the No. 1 scoring defense during the regular season.

In adopting his birth name, Nnamdi, he has received support from his father, reinforcing the significance of his heritage in his professional identity.