In early November last year, the Houston Texans were at loggerheads against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In a crucial moment of the game, the Houston Texans’ main kicker Kaʻimi Fairbairn injured himself. This meant that the coach had to give the onus to someone new. And who better than Arike Ogunbowale’s brother Dare Ogunbowale to come to the fore? Originally a running back, Ogunbowale did not hesitate to try something new for his team.

Ogunbowale kicked the ball hard in the fourth quarter which eventually pinched the goal. Thus, he became the first non-kicker after Wes Welker in 2004 to score a field goal in a regular season game. Such is the versatility of Dare Ogunbowale! And today, EssentiallySports takes a look at his life and career.

Dare Ogunbowale’s early life

Dare is the elder brother of Arike Ogunbowale who plays for the Dallas Wings. While Arike was born on March 2, 1997, Dare is three years older than her and was born on May 4, 1994, in Milwaukee Wisconsin. Dare’s parents Yolanda Ogunbowale and Gregory Ogunbowale are of Nigerian descent.

Dare has time and again proved his mettle. Even during his high school years, Dare would play four sports – football, soccer, track, and basketball. Thus, he gained immense popularity during his time at the Marquette University High School. Going forward when he was given a choice to pick one sport, he decided to ply his trade in football.

He represented the Wisconsin Badgers in college and was a walk-on there. But Dare has time and time risen up to the occasion whenever the situation has demanded. During his senior year, he was voted as the team’s captain. Plus, Dare who had started his college career as a cornerback changed his position to that of a running back and accumulated over 2,000 total yards and 15 touchdowns. Though he declared for the NFL draft, he was undrafted and then signed as a free agent with the Houston Texans in May 2017.

Dare Ogunbowale’s NFL journey

After getting into the Texans squad, Dare breathed a sigh of relief but that did not last long since he was waived off by the team in September that year. Post that, he inked a deal with the Texans’ practice squad. He stayed there till October when he was released by the team. Next, Dare got an opportunity to become a part of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ practice squad which he accepted with open arms. But his stint with the team did not last long.

His career gained a little momentum when he signed with the Washington Redskins practice squad. In December of that year, he made inroads into the active roster. However, tables once again turned for him as he was waived off in March 2018. Next, he started off his second stint with the Buccaneers where he was also promoted to the active roster before being waived off. He was signed multiple times and was waived off multiple times. However, the highlight of his stint at the Buccaneers was that he was voted to be the team captain in the 2019 season.

After that, he had a brief stint with the Jacksonville Jaguars and then with the Houston Texans, where he became the first non-kicker to score a goal against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the regular season since 2004. Dare’s career has often seen multiple highs and lows but he has made sure to never lose hope and always give his best. Hopefully, for his fans, these qualities will take him far in his life.