Osi Umenyiora (born November 16, 1981 in London, England) is an American Football player (defensive end) for the New York Giants. He was drafted in the 2nd round of the 2003 NFL Draft out of Troy State University, where he finished second in the nation with 16 sacks. Umenyiora was born in London to Nigerian parents. His family moved back to Nigeria and later to Auburn, Alabama where he started playing football in high school.

Christian Emeka Okoye (born August 16, 1961 in Enugu, Nigeria) is a former American Football running back for the Kansas City Chiefs (1987-1992). Nicknamed "The Nigerian Nightmare," Okoye's six seasons in the NFL saw a league rushing title in 1989, two Pro Bowl appearances (1989, 1991), and three playoff appearances. His career was cut short by a knee injury. He wore number 35.

Nnamdi Asomugha (N-NAM-Dee Asoh-Muh-Wah) (born July 6, 1981 in Lafayette, Louisiana) whose name means "My Father Lives" (although various sources erroneously state that it means "Jesus Lives") is an American football player who currently plays cornerback for the Oakland Raiders. He is an American-born Nigerian. He attended and played at Narbonne High School in Los Angeles, California and continued at the University of California, …

Amobi Okoye (born June 10, 1987 in Anambra State, Nigeria) is an American football player for the Houston Texans. He played defensive tackle at the University of Louisville from 2003 to 2006. The Houston Texans drafted Okoye as the 10th overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft.

Israel Idonije (born November 17, 1980 in Lagos, Nigeria, later immigrated with his family to Brandon, Manitoba) is a Canadian defensive tackle for the National Football League's Chicago Bears. He was signed as an undrafted free agent out of the University of Manitoba. A draft pick of the now defunct Ottawa Renegades of the Canadian Football League, for whom he never played for, "Izzy" (as he is affectionately referred to by his teamates), …

Iheanyi Uwaezuoke (pronounced "e-HaN-yee ooh-WAYZ-o-KAY", born July 24, 1973 in Lagos, Nigeria is a former American football player who played wide receiver for the San Francisco 49ers, Miami Dolphins, Detroit Lions, and Carolina Panthers of the NFL. He was drafted in the fifth round of the 1996 NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers out of the University of California.

Samkon Kaltho Gado (born November 13, 1982 in Kufai, Nigeria) is a professional American football player for the Houston Texans of the NFL.

Obed Chukwuma Ariri (born April 4, 1956), was an NFL placekicker. Ariri was born in Owerri, Nigeria. He became a skilled soccer player and was scouted by Clemson's then soccer coach Dr. I.M. Ibrahim. After watching him play in Nigeria, Ibrahim offered Ariri a soccer scholarship to Clemson on the spot.

Victor Adeyanju (born February 11, 1983 in Nigeria) is an American football defensive end who currently plays for the National Football League's St. Louis Rams. He was drafted in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL Draft, pick 113.

Akin Ayodele (pronounced I-yo-DAY-lay) (born September 17, 1979 in Irving, Texas), is an American football linebacker who plays for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League.

Donald Amechi Igwebuike (born December 27, 1960 in Enugu, Nigeria) is a former American football kicker for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1985-1989). He is the third place all-time scorer for the Buccaneers with 416 overall points. Igwebuike also played in the Canadian Football League with the Baltimore Stallions in 1994 and the Memphis Mad Dogs in 1995. He attended Clemson University. In 1990, Igwebuike was charged with assisting a $1 million heroin smuggling plot.

Adewale Ogunleye (August 9, 1977) is an American football defensive end for the Chicago Bears. Ogunleye was traded to the Bears from Miami in a trade that also involved wide receiver Marty Booker.

Adimchinobe Echemandu (born November 21, 1980 in Lagos, Nigeria), also known as Joe Echemandu or Joe Echema, is an American football player. He is currently on the Oakland Raiders practice team after being cut from the Minnesota Vikings on September 2, 2006

Eric Ogbogu (born July 18 1975 in Irvington, New York), graduated in the class of 1994 from Archbishop Stepinac High School in White Plains, New York. He is an American football linebacker/defensive end in the National Football League. He was originally selected with the tenth pick of the sixth round of the 1998 NFL Draft out of the University of Maryland College Park by the New York Jets. He has also played for the Cincinnati Bengals and most recently the Dallas Cowboys.

Patrick Chukwurah (born March 1, 1979 in Nigeria) is a Nigerian football player. A defensive end/linebacker who plays for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he is mostly a back up yet still contributes to special teams. He went to Irving MacArthur High School in Irving, Texas. He later attended the University of Wyoming.

Olarenwaju "Larry" Anam (born October 29, 1983 in Lagos, Nigeria) is an American football cornerback for the New England Patriots of the National Football League. He was signed on May 8, 2007 as an undrafted rookie free agent from Boston College.

Breznev Maduaubuchie Ibeh (born August 4, 1983 in Newark, New Jersey) is an American football wide receiver and defensive back for the Chicago Rush of the Arena Football League. He attended Temple University. Prior to playing at Temple, Ibeh played two years at Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, New York.

Mohammed Thomas David Elewonibi (born December 16, 1965 in Lagos, Nigeria) was an American football offensive lineman in the NFL for the Washington Redskins and Philadelphia Eagles. He has also played in the Canadian Football League.