As he prepares to follow up a breakout 2023 NFL season, Nnamdi (formerly Justin) Madubuike wants fans to know who he truly is.
The Baltimore Ravens defensive lineman has decided to make a change back to his Nigerian-given first name, with the change already being reflected on his locker and Instagram profile.
Madubuike, 26, was one of the league’s top defensive players last season as he ranked ninth in the NFL with a career-high 13 sacks. And ahead of the 2024 campaign — fresh off signing a four-year extension to remain in Baltimore — paying homage to his roots was a priority.
“Coming from Nigerian culture, our parents give us like an American name and give us a Nigerian name,” Madubuike said, per Ryan Mink. “When we were growing up as little kids, they addressed us as our Nigerian name. So Nnamdi, I believe in my heart, that’s my real name.”
The former third-round pick in 2017 said he took some inspiration from teammate and fellow Nigerian Odafe Oweh, who stopped going by Jayson when he was drafted in 2021.
“Just learning from the older vets and stuff, I keep finding ways to get better every single year. I just started to just keep everything real in terms of my life,” he said. “After I signed my contract, I just need to keep doing that. I just felt like when I keep it real, the better player I am, the better man I am. I just was like, you know, I’m going to go with my real name. So Nnamdi is my real name.”
His parents have always called him Nnamd despite the name on his birth certificate always being Justin. And when his father, Festus — who Madubuike credits as “my biggest supporter” — gave his blessing for the name switch ahead of this season, the 2023 Pro Bowl selection knew the change was a go.
“I guess there’s the power of just being yourself. But I didn’t do it for those reasons. I did it just for me, being thoroughly honest with myself.”
Madubuike and the Ravens open the 2024 NFL season against the Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday at 8:20 p.m. ET / 5:20 p.m. PT.