Early years

Umenyiora was born in Golders Green, London to Nigerian parents. His family moved back to Nigeria and later to Auburn, Alabama, where he started playing football in high school. He is of Igbo descent. His full first name means in Igbo "from today on, things will be good".

College career

Umenyiora played for Troy University.

Professional career

New York Giants

Umenyiora was drafted in the 2nd round (56th pick overall) of the 2003 NFL Draft by the New York Giants out of Troy University.

Umenyiora established himself as a premier pass rusher in 2005, his first year as a starter. His stellar play earned All-Pro recognition and a trip to the Pro Bowl. Umenyiora achieved 14.5 sacks and 70 tackles, second only to the sixteen sacks obtained by Derrick Burgess of the Oakland Raiders.

On December 23, 2005, the Giants signed Umenyiora to a six-year contract extension for $41 million with $15 million guaranteed.

In the fourth game of the 2007 season, Umenyiora set a Giants franchise record by recording six sacks against the Philadelphia Eagles. At that point in the season, the Giants had 12 sacks, tying the NFL record. He recorded his first career touchdown on October 21 against the San Francisco 49ers when he sacked Trent Dilfer, forced a fumble, recovered the fumble and ran 75 yards for the score.

By the end of the season, Umenyiora's 13 sacks helped the Giants to an NFL regular season-leading 53 sacks. The Giants had a surprise victory in Super Bowl XLII over the New England Patriots, in part because of their strong pass rush performance. Umenyiora had four tackles in that game, three of which were solos.

During a preseason game against the New York Jets, Umenyiora suffered cartilage damage in his left knee and was required to undergo season-ending surgery. The finding by team physician Dr. Russell Warren was that Umenyiora suffered a torn lateral meniscus.

Umenyiora joined ESPN's Monday Night Football crew on October 13, 2008.

In week 1 of the 2009 season against the Washington Redskins, Umenyiora recorded his second and final career touchdown, also on a sack, forced fumble, and recovery.

On November 5, 2010, Osi Umenyiora was named the NFC Defensive Player of the Month after recording 18 tackles (10 solo), 7.0 sacks, and six forced fumbles in the Giants' four October wins. Umenyiora and teammate Justin Tuck recorded 11.5 sacks for the year, and combined for 16 forced fumbles.

On July 29, 2011, Umenyiora did not report on the opening day of the Giants' training camp. As a result, the Giants placed him on Reserve/Did Not Report. He reported to camp late the following day. Umenyiora has claimed that general manager Jerry Reese promised to renegotiate his contract after the 2010 season, but failed to do so.

Umenyiora began practicing with his teammates on August 15, but after three practices he had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee. The team expected him to miss the season opener against the Washington Redskins on September 11.

Atlanta Falcons

Umenyiora signed a two-year deal worth $8.55 million with the Atlanta Falcons on March 27, 2013.

Retirement

On August 26, 2015, he retired from football as a New York Giant after signing a one-day deal.

Media career

After retiring in 2015 he joined BBC Sport as a pundit for their NFL coverage working on the NFL International Series matches from London, a new NFL highlights show which is on every week during the 2nd half of the season and the Super Bowl. He worked alongside Match of the Day 2 host Mark Chapman, Jason Bell, Nat Coombs and Mike Carlson and their coverage has gained rave reviews from NFL fans in the UK.

Statistics

Source:

		Tackles						Fumbles
Year	Team	G	GS	Total	Solo	Sck	Sfty	FF	FR
2003	NYG	13	1	20	13	1.0	0	1	0
2004	NYG	16	7	58	40	7.0	0	3	4
2005	NYG	16	16	70	48	14.5	0	4	2
2006	NYG	11	11	31	24	6.0	0	1	0
2007	NYG	16	16	52	40	13.0	0	5	2
2009	NYG	16	11	29	19	7.0	0	4	4
2010	NYG	16	16	48	33	11.5	0	10	1
2011	NYG	9	7	25	16	9	0	2	0
2012	NYG	16	7	43	28	6	0	2	0
Total		129	92	376	261	75	0	32	13

Personal

Umenyiora resides in Cleveland, Georgia and Edgewater, New Jersey. In 2008, he made a cameo appearance in the music video "I Luv Your Girl" by The-Dream.

In February 2013, he became engaged to Miss Universe 2011, Leila Lopes. They married May 29, 2015 in Luanda, Angola, the bride's home country.

[ Source: Wikipedia ]