Skip to main content
NFL Network Top of Page Banner
Advertising

NFL Network Cast, Hosts & Analysts | NFL.com

Headshot picture of Akbar Gbaja-Biamila

Akbar Gbaja-Biamila

Akbar Gbajabiamila serves as a fantasy expert and analyst on NFL Fantasy Live with NFL Media. Akbar is also the host of NBC's heart-racing obstacle course competition series American Ninja Warrior, as well as Esquire Networks' spin-off Team Ninja Warrior. His ability to connect with everyone from viewers to contestants to professional athletes has made him one of the most relatable television personalities in sports and entertainment. The Southern California native played five-years in the NFL as a linebacker and defensive end with the Oakland Raiders, San Diego Chargers and Miami Dolphins before retiring in 2008. Akbar played college football for San Diego State University after graduating from Crenshaw High School in Los Angeles. Throughout his NFL career, Gbajabiamila had an interest in broadcasting, and in 2005 he was selected as one of the NFL's first athletes to attend their Broadcast Boot Camp, an intense workshop aimed at training athletes for potential careers in broadcasting and journalism. Gbajabiamila older brother Kabeer, played nine seasons with the Green Bay Packers. Kabeer is the Packers all-time sack leader and Packers Hall of Famer.