Getty Image / Nick Cammett
Baltimore Ravens defensive lineman Justin Madubuike really jumped out onto the scene last year, as a tremendous season saw him become one of the league’s best interior defensive linemen. He is expected to be a star once again this year on one of the league’s best defenses.
But, he won’t be known as Justin Madubuike anymore. Instead, he will be known by his native Nigerian name, Nnamdi.
Madubuike made the announcement on Twitter on Saturday with the Ravens’ official twitter account.
“The intention was to just be true and just be me. I just felt like when I keep it real, the better player I am, the better man I am. I just was like, I’m going to go with my real name. Nnamdi is my real name,” he said.
Here’s what Nameberry.com has to say about the name Nnamdi.
“The name Nnamdi is a boy’s name meaning ‘my father is alive’. In the Igbo culture of Nigeria, the name Nnamdi is given to baby boys who are thought to be reincarnations of their grandfathers,”
Like many Nigerian Americans, and immigrants in general, Madubuike went by a more common name than his given birth name. Now, he will get to return to his roots.
The native Texas, who was born to Nigerian immigrants, will not be the first Nnamdi to play in the NFL. Former All-Pro corner Nnamdi Asomugha starred in the league from 2003-2013, making four All-Pro teams.
Madubuike just signed a brand new four-year, $98 million extension after he tailed 13 sacks last season. The Ravens open up their season on Thursday night against the Kansas City Chiefs.