Akbar Gbajabiamila
Host of NBC's American Ninja Warrior and NFL's Fantasy Live
Akbar Gbajabiamila, a Southern California native, parlayed a five-year stint in the NFL into a career in television as a host and actor.
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Full Bio
Akbar Gbajabiamila, a Southern California native, parlayed a five-year stint in the NFL into a career in television as a host and actor. He is currently the host of NBC’s hit show American Ninja Warrior, which follows competitors as they tackle a series of challenging obstacle courses in both city qualifying and city finals rounds across the country. Gbajabiamila also currently hosts NFL Networks’ highest rated show NFL Fantasy Live.
Gbajabiamila was also a fan-favorite on the 2009 ABC adventure series Expedition Impossible where he was hand-selected by producer Mark Burnett to compete in challenges across the globe. Gbajabiamila has always lived an active lifestyle, one that combined social consciousness with athletic success.
An undrafted NFL free agent in 2003, Gbajabiamila played for the Oakland Raiders, San Diego Chargers and Miami Dolphins before retiring in 2008. During the duration of his professional football career, Akbar was looking for what’s next in his non-playing career and how he could use those skills and assets to help others.
In 2005, he was selected as one of the NFL’s first athletes to be in their Broadcast Boot Camp, held at NFL Films in Mount Laurel, New Jersey, that was 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 days were over. With his playing career over, Akbar turned his focus to television, serving as an analyst for the NFL Network and hosting NBC’s American Ninja Warrior.
He recently made his feature acting debut in the 2015 short film The Sac Fly, and previously co-starred in the Funny or Die skit Internet Cops with Nnamdi Asomugha.
Akbar has a long history of volunteering and social consciousness. He currently serves as a board member for the Asomugha Foundation, an organization aimed at creating better educational opportunities for impoverished communities. As a collegiate undergrad, Akbar joined Athletes for Education, a youth education program where he was able to promote financial literacy for youth in the San Diego community.
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Ernie was perfect for our Elders Conference at Little River Casino Resort in Manistee, Michigan. We will definitely be using PDA again!
LITTLE RIVER BAND OF OTTAWA INDIANS
Our speaker was great and the crowd enjoyed her! She was very engaging. Thank you again PDA for the great list of suggestions!
MEDTRONIC
Everything went great! and our speaker was wonderful! Thank you so much for all your help PDA! Looking forward to the next one.
UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI – KANSAS CITY
I hope that this message finds you well. We had a phenomenal time with Atsuko this past Thursday. We wanted to just let you know how amazing she was. All those that were in attendance thoroughly enjoyed her and had nothing but amazing things to say about her. Thank you for working with us to make sure this happened!
BAYLOR UNIVERSITY CAMPUS
We had a fantastic day with Inge! She was very engaging with all those that attended. Her personal stories about the holocaust were very special and we were moved that she was willing to share them with everyone. Thank you again, PDA for all your hard work and dedication to make this program such a success!
SALT LAKE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Dear PDA Group, Thank you so much for your hard work in scheduling our speaker! From the moment we reached out to you the first time, you worked with us on all details and logistics and kept us up-to-date on the progress. Thank you for all your hard work on making our event such a success! We couldn't have done it without you and your team!
SAP COMPANY
Thank you again, Dr. Kimbrough, for a great presentation, our attendees are still talking about it!
CAMPUS LABS
Dr. Henry Lee's presentation was entertaining, insightful and wise. I, and everyone at Pfizer, especially appreciate the remarks you directed about following your passion and preparing yourself to excel. Thank you, everyone, at PDA for helping to make this happen!
PFIZER
The event was successful! I received many messages expressing how awesome, outstanding and inspiring Ms. Webb-Christburg's speech was."
DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. MEMORIAL BREAKFAST, BOSTON, MLK SPEAKER
Everything went well. Atsuko was very easy to work with and the students enjoyed her performance! Thank you again for your recommendation and I hope to work with you again in the future!
CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Dr. Novello left this morning after a very successful event on our campus! Thank you PDA Group for your help from the first phone to the last you were with us every step of the way.
GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY
Jordan Carlos was very very entertaining! A majority of students who answered the event survey indicated they really enjoyed Jordan and definitely will bring him back!
WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
On behalf of myself and my organization Entertainment Unlimited the Campus Programming Board of Ferris State University, we thank you PDA and Dan for a successful event!! Dan was magnificent! Students really enjoyed the presentation. I know I did. Can't wait to bring in more programs with PDA Group.
FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY
It was a great pleasure to work with PDA Group! The communication was always prompt, friendly and helpful. We loved the speakers and events we booked through Mr. Peter Walker (PDA Group).
WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Thank you, Peter, for all your help, you'll be happy to know that the event went incredibly well! Aneesa Ferreira was by far one of the best speakers we've ever had!
FURMAN UNIVERSITY
Topics
An Evening with Akbar Gbajabiamila
Videos
How Do You Say My Name - Akbar Gbajabiamila
Akbar Gbaja Biamila: I Lost My ‘NFL Arrogance’ On ‘American Ninja Warrior’ | Megyn Kelly TODAY
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