Dare Ogunbowale is an American professional football player, born on May 4, 1994, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Currently a running back for the Houston Texans in the National Football League (NFL), Dare has built a reputation as a versatile and determined athlete.
His journey to the NFL began as a walk-on at the University of Wisconsin, where he transitioned from a cornerback to a running back, showcasing his adaptability and work ethic.
Of Nigerian descent, Dare was raised by his parents, Gregory and Yolanda Ogunbowale, in a family that emphasized hard work and athletic achievement.
Siblings
Dare is one of three siblings, with his younger sister, Arike Ogunbowale, being the most well-known among them.
Arike, born on March 2, 1997, is a professional basketball player for the Dallas Wings in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA).
She gained national prominence during her college career at Notre Dame, where she was named the Most Outstanding Player of the 2018 NCAA Division I women’s basketball tournament after hitting game-winning shots in both the semifinal and championship games.
Arike has since become a standout in the WNBA, earning accolades such as the 2021 and 2024 All-Star Game MVP awards, the 2020 Scoring Leader title, and multiple All-WNBA team selections.
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Career
After graduating from Marquette University High School in Milwaukee, where he excelled in football, soccer, basketball, and track, Dare joined the University of Wisconsin as a walk-on in 2013.
Initially playing as a cornerback, he switched to running back during his college tenure, accumulating over 2,000 total yards and 15 touchdowns.
His senior year saw him voted team captain, a reflection of his leadership and impact on the Wisconsin Badgers.
Despite his college success, Dare went undrafted in the 2017 NFL Draft.
However, he signed with the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent on May 16, 2017, marking the beginning of his professional journey.
His early career was marked by stints on practice squads and short-term contracts with teams such as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Washington Redskins (now Commanders).
His persistence paid off when he was promoted to the Buccaneers’ active roster in November 2018, and in 2019, he was named a team captain, finishing the season with 35 receptions for 286 receiving yards and two rushing touchdowns.
Dare’s career continued to evolve as he joined the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2020 and later returned to the Houston Texans in 2022 on a two-year, $3.3 million contract.
One of his most memorable moments came on November 5, 2023, when he stepped in as an emergency kicker for the Texans against the Buccaneers.
With the starting kicker, Ka’imi Fairbairn, injured, Dare successfully kicked a 29-yard field goal in the fourth quarter, becoming the first non-kicker to make a field goal in a regular-season game since Wes Welker in 2004.