Through his first two seasons in the NFL, Obi Melifonwu has faced no shortage of obstacles.
Melifonwu, a Grafton native who played his college football at Division I UConn, came into the 2018 season eager to earn an expanded role in the Oakland Raiders secondary. A groin injury put those plans on hold and Melifonwu, a safety, was placed on injured reserve (IR) in August.
Two months later, Melifonwu received the news that all pro football players fear. He had been released.
“It was a little disappointing,” Melifonwu, 24, said, “but at the same time it’s the nature of the game. It was about finding the best way to get to point where I’m at now.”
A 2017 second-round pick, Melifonwu held his head high through the difficult stage of his young career. He remained patient for a new opportunity to come his way. It turned out his hometown team, the one he grew up rooting for, was the one that knocked on his door.
Melifonwu signed a 2-year contract with the New England Patriots Nov. 5.
“It felt like a dream come true,” Melifonwu said. “It kind felt like somewhere I was destined to be, growing up in Massachusetts and being a Patriots fan. Watching the organization go from one Super Bowl to five Super Bowls. It feels like a dream come true.
“It’s definitely special any time you’re home and you live 40 minutes away (from Foxborough),” he continued. “Your family’s close by, people you grew up with come see your games. It’s definitely comforting being familiar with the area and being close to home.”
Finding a home in the NFL can be a difficult search but Melifonwu never lost faith. He worked closely with his agent, Salem native Sean Stellato, who searched tirelessly for a new opportunity for his client.
“This is a testament to the Patriots and their ability to find players of Obi’s caliber with unique traits and high character, and put them in the best situation to help them,” Stellato said. “If you look at free agency, salary cap, they’ve kind of been the staple of success in this league. I think Obi’s best football’s in front of him. He’s excited to learn from the best coach ever (Bill Belichick) and older guys like (Devin) McCourty and (Pat) Chung, who’ve been successful in their careers.”
Melifonwu, who was limited to five games last year, has dealt with multiple injuries. He was placed on IR twice in 2017 and underwent hip surgery last December. Melifonwu credited Stellato for providing unwavering support.
“I think Sean’s a great agent,” Melifonwu said. “He’s someone that believes in my talent. He told me that God has a plan for me and God had a plan for me. He told me to control what I can control and it was just a matter of getting on the field.”
Of course, finding an opportunity and making the most of it are two different things. Now that he’s a Patriot, Melifonwu’s eager to make a name for himself in New England.
“Now that I’m here I’m just focused on being the best teammate I can be,” Melifonwu said. “I’m learning from the coaches, learning from the veterans and just trying to take in as much as I can so I can play.
“It’s a blessing to be a part of this team. It’s a privilege I don’t take for granted. I’m going to maximize every day and every opportunity I get.”
Melifonwu feels things have gone well for him in Foxborough thus far. He’s still gaining familiarity with the Patriots coaching staff and the playbook but he’s confident he’ll pick things up quickly.
“From day one, meeting the coaching staff, meeting all the people that work in the building, I think it started pretty well,” Melifonwu said. “I’m just going in there every day trying to learn something, whether it’s from the play book or something the players do that has been beneficial.”
He’s also learning the ins and outs of what it’s like to play for Belichick- another test Melifonwu’s excited to tackle.
“It’s awesome, he’s a coach that’s well respected around the league,” Melifonwu said. “He’s a polished coach. It’s a privilege to play for a coach of that high a caliber. I look forward to learning from him, learning from his staff and becoming the best football player I can be.”