Larry Ogunjobi
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
| Position | College | Years in the NFL |
|---|---|---|
| Defensive Tackle | Charlotte | 8 |
EXCELLENCE ON THE FIELD
In his eight-year NFL career, Larry has played a total of 117 games (104 starts) with Pittsburgh (2022-current), Cincinnati (2021), and Cleveland (2017-2020). He has registered 342 tackles (193 solo), 55 tackles for loss, 27.5 sacks, 78 quarterback hits, three passes defensed, three forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries. Since entering the league in 2017, Ogunjobi has tallied 204 QB pressures, which ranks seventh in the NFL among interior linemen over that span. Those 204 QB pressures are also the second-most in his draft class by an interior lineman behind Bills DT Ed Oliver (213). Ogunjobi holds the fourth-most tackles for loss (55 TFL) by a defensive lineman since his debut in 2017, trailing Chiefs DT Chris Jones (72 TFL), teammate Cameron Heyward (67 TFL), and Falcons DL Grady Jarrett (66 TFL). He has played in four post-season games (four starts) and registered nine tackles (three solo), and one fumble recovery. In 2024, Larry has started in eight games, tallying 22 tackles (10 solo), four tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks. His 1.5 sacks rank fifth on the team. Larry, who was drafted in the third round (65th overall) by Cleveland, played 46 games at Charlotte (2013-16). He finished his college career with 217 tackles and was the first player drafted into the NFL from Charlotte's football program.
DEMONSTRATES POSITIVE CHARACTER & MODELS A LIFESTYLE OF GIVING BACK
Whether it's on or off the field, Larry has always demonstrated a positive attitude in how he supports his teammates and his community. He models this through giving back and challenging other young athletes to do the same. He takes his inspiration from his parents, never taking for granted the blessings he has and always paying them forward. He also emphasizes this through his community events with young men. During training camp, he held a luncheon with 20 young men from the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh Black Male Leadership Development Program. During this event, the young men learned etiquette skills for a formal dinner and public speaking skills. At the end of the event, each participant received a bow tie, and he encouraged them to be positive leaders in their school and in the community.
DEDICATION & COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY EFFORTS
THIS YEAR
Through his First of Many Foundation, which was inspired by being a first-generation Nigerian, Larry has given back to the Pittsburgh community and beyond in a multitude of ways. He understands the humble beginnings he came from, when his parents immigrated to the United States without anything and built a life to provide for him and his future. Now, he is doing the same for others, whether they are immigrants like his parents, or just kids and families that need a helping hand. In June, Larry held his fourth annual youth football camp in North Carolina. This event is free to boys and girls in the community to help young athletes learn the fundamentals of football, with the emphasis on teamwork and sportsmanship. To kick off the season, Larry hosts an annual Back to School event with the Urban Academy. Each student receives a backpack and school supplies to ensure they start the school year with everything they need. In addition, Larry provides motivational words to the students to kick off the day and then he visits each classroom to take pictures with the students. In September, Larry teamed up with Nike, the Boys & Girls Club of Western PA, and the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh's Black Male and Female Leadership Development Programs to host a STEM event. During the event, students were able to learn about the technology behind Nike's shoes and each student participated in on-field activities to demonstrate the different technology in the shoes. Larry was able to share his love for STEM and why he pursued a degree in computer science technology and biology at Charlotte. During the giving season in November and December, Larry hosts a Thanksgiving dinner for families in need at the YWCA of Greater Pittsburgh and then provides each family with a gift card for them to purchase their own Thanksgiving meals. In December, Larry will continue to give by taking 50 kids on a shopping trip for Christmas. In addition, Larry knows what it is like for families that are immigrants to the US. His family immigrated from Nigeria, and he knows that families can struggle with receiving the basic necessities to help rebuild their life. This is why he is teaming up with Hello Neighbor, a local organization to provide over 30 families with housing items, food, children's clothing, and other resources to help make their transition to the Pittsburgh community easier.
IN YEARS PAST
Larry has consistently given his time over the years, even before coming to the Pittsburgh Steelers. As mentioned, Larry annually hosts his free youth football camp in Carolina and will host the fifth annual one in the summer of 2025. Through this event, he has impacted thousands of kids in his hometown. As he has said, "I want to keep moving the needle in the right direction." And he does. His annual Back to School event with the Urban Academy has supported over 300 students each year since 2022. During his time in Cleveland, he held annual shopping trips with youth in the community. This year culminates his ninth year of hosting Christmas shopping trips, and through this event, he has impacted kids in Cleveland and Pittsburgh. Larry's consistent dedication continues through supporting the YWCA of Greater Pittsburgh families for Thanksgiving. This year will be his third consecutive year hosting the event and it has impacted over 150 families in the Pittsburgh community. In addition to this, Larry has annually given to the YWCA of Greater Pittsburgh through the Pittsburgh Steelers Social Justice Matching Fund. Through this program, the organization has received over $60,000 to support their mission of ending racism and empowering women.