Efe Obada may be one of the best Britons currently playing in the National Football League, but he's still attempting to keep a relatively low profile among American football's elite.
So it was a shock to the Buffalo Bills defensive end when former New York Giants star Osi Umenyiora freely gave up precious information regarding an incentive that may or may not be in his contract.
Obada—who was waived by the Carolina Panthers at the end of the 2020 season—recently enjoyed the best performance of his NFL career to date after notching two sacks against his former employers en route to a 31-14 win.
The 29-year-old agreed a one-year deal with the Bills in April as an under-stated signing, but he's built his case for a contract extension after a productive first season in Buffalo.
London-born Umenyiora wasn't so under-stated when praising the defensive star earlier in the season, however, as he gushed on The NFL Show : "Efe Obada, getting pressures, getting the big half-a-sack in the game, half a million dollars in his pocket because of that!
"[Gesturing to co-host and fellow NFL alumnus Jason Bell] Fantastic. Man, you already know what that is 'Jay Bell'."
Based off that logic, it would mean Obada earned a $2million (£1.5million) bonus for completing two full sacks against Carolina in Week 15, though not necessarily in a lump sum, if true.
Obada was all smiles during a recent appearance on the BBC's flagship NFL programme, although he did take the opportunity to jokingly air his grievances with Umenyiora publicising his pay.
While the four-season veteran stopped short of confirming the incentive as genuine, his reaction appeared to suggest there was something in the claim he may have preferred remained private.
Former NFL stars Umenyiora and Bell couldn't contain their laughter as Obada took aim at his compatriot.
"Hey Osi, you see when you went online and told everybody that a sack is a million or something like that? Why did he do that," the Briton questioned with a look of disbelief.
There's no bad blood between the pair, however, as Umenyiora replied: "Oh, my bad, bro!
"They [the public] literally think you got $1million right then!"
It's not unheard of for less valuable squad players to be given contracts prioritised around incentives in American sports, but those details aren't always made public knowledge.
Obada—who has 3.5 total sacks for the 2021 season so far—appeared to be beyond any ill will, however, smiling and throwing his hands as he exclaimed: "I'm flying under the radar, and look at you, just [...]"
Since that two-sack performance against the Panthers, Obada also had a cameo in the 33-21 victory over the New England Patriots on Boxing Day.
That result took the Bills to the top of the AFC East, with Buffalo edging the division record over the Pats despite both teams posting nine wins and six losses heading into the final two games of the regular season.
That puts Buffalo in a strong position to make the play-offs and potentially win the division considering they face the Atlanta Falcons and the New York Jets in their last two fixtures.
It presents Obada with his best chance of featuring in a play-off team since he was first signed to Carolina's matchday roster in 2018.
The former London Warriors star made his way to the NFL via the International Player Pathway programme and previously practised with the Dallas Cowboys, Kansas City Chiefs and Falcons without making their squads.
Times have clearly changed for the player judging by the valuable incentives now seemingly being dangled as a carrot to succeed, even if he didn't appreciate Umenyiora's insider knowledge going public.
A strong end to this season may well put Obada in a stronger position to renegotiate terms when his contract comes up for discussion, at which point he'll hope to sit down for talks as a Super Bowl champion.
