Akbar Oluwakemi-Idowu Gbaja-Biamila (born May 6, 1979) is an NFL sports analyst who currently serves as the co-host of American Ninja Warrior. Akbar is a former NFL player who played from 2003-2008, playing for the Oakland Raiders, San Diego Charges, and Miami Dolphins respectively.
Akbar has served as the co-host and color commentator American Ninja Warrior since 2013, hosting alongside ANW host and play-by-play announcer Matt Iseman. The pair also co-hosted Team Ninja Warrior, American Ninja Warrior: Ninja vs. Ninja, and American Ninja Warrior Junior.
Celebrity Ninja Warrior: Red Nose Day 2[]
Akbar Gbajabiamila's Ninja Warrior Run for Red Nose Day - American Ninja Warrior 2018
As the co-host of American Ninja Warrior, Akbar served as one of 8 celebrities to compete in Los Angeles in during the Red Nose Day special in 2018. Akbar was trained by American Ninja Warrior veteran Kevin Bull.
On the course, Akbar had completed nearly every obstacle, clearing the Floating Steps, Grab Bag, Spinning Bridge, Doorknob Drop, and Warped Wall. Each obstacle completed granted $5,000 for Red Nose Day. Although he did not attempt it, Akbar had Kevin Bull take on the Flying Shelf Grab. With Bull's completion, an additional US$5,000 was also granted as well. In total, Akbar's run raised US$30,000 for Red Nose Day.
Akbarisms[]
American Ninja Warrior’s Top Akbarisms of Season 8 - American Ninja Warrior
On the course, Akbar is well-known for his "Akbarisms", a fan-dubbed statement to describe his inspirational and humorous statements to describe an action occurring on the course.
Examples of Akbarisms include:
- "Philadelphia, man, you talk about the city of brotherly love, this course ain't got no love!"
- "I see you Jake the snake!"
- "No Limit Nate! I see you baby!"
- "That girl is a Labreck House!"
- "The king is here!"
- ''Britten's Got Talent!''
Akbar Gbaja-Biamila's Moments[]
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Starting from the Atlanta Qualifiers of American Ninja Warrior 11, at the end of the episode where the broadcast lists the final standings for the top 30 and womens' top 5 leaderboards, Akbar shares his top 3 favorite moments from the city round. There can be occasions where he shows a run that was otherwise completely cut, or he showcases a notable scenario that occurred behind the scenes.
Atlanta Qualifying[]
#3: Ronald Washington attempting the Ferris Wheel, dropping with so much force that it caused one of the lights to break.
#2: Neil Craver warming up by using a power tool on his body.
#1: Shane Scudder's fall on the Shrinking Steps, drenching a cameraman.
Oklahoma Qualifying[]
#3: Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt attempting the course behind the scenes.
#2: Akbar facing a dance-off with Rumble the Bison.
#1: Clayton Collum's fall on the Diving Boards, rebounding off the dismount and slamming his head onto the third board.
Seattle/Tacoma Qualifying[]
#3: Josiah Roise's qualifying run, in which he came in dressed as a Viking.
#2: Lorin Ball break-dancing in the warm-up area.
#1: Justin Gielski's run in qualifying; he attempted to go for the Mega Wall, but his wife told him not to so he went straight for the regular Warped Wall and finished the course.
Baltimore Qualifying[]
#3: Zuri Hall with Alex Goodwin's snake, Bert.
#2: Daniel Zipadelli's run, in which he gave his own LEGO creations of Matt and Akbar to them.
#1: Akbar getting bit by Justin Andelin's penguin after trying to take a selfie with all of them.
Cincinnati Qualifying[]
#3: Phillip Hucke's run, where he decorated his beard after the Cincinnati Bengals.
#2: Mr. Redlegs having a bobble-head competition with Matt and Akbar.
#1: Internet sensation Jujimufu taking on the course behind the scenes.
Los Angeles Finals[]
#3: Akbar getting hyped up as Anthony Trucks dives through the Diamond Dash, with Akbar saying "Diamond Dash blitz!"
#2: Akbar exclaiming "Ooh, nice handles! Okay, I know my alphabets!" as competitor Kyle Soderman attempts the Salmon Ladder, just for Soderman to fall as Akbar exclaims "Oh, I don't know my alphabets!"
#1: Akbar exclaiming numerous statements about glutes as Corey McCoy runs up the Warped Wall.
Atlanta Finals[]
- Circus performer Kirill Rebkovets balancing on five cylinders.
- Rochambeau Dolcine dancing salsa alongside the cheerleaders for the Atlanta Falcons, before falling on Up for Grabs.
Oklahoma City Finals[]
- A hoedown featuring competitors like Grant McCartney and Brittany Hanks, alongside local bluegrass band Southbound Mule.
- Competitor Josh Harris throwing fruits and vegetables at the audience to eat, just for Harris to ironically fall on the Coconut Climb.
Seattle/Tacoma Finals[]
- A dance party featuring competitors Grant McCartney, Nick Hanson, and Lance Pekus, including them pulling fans out of the stands to dance alongside them.
- Local fish throwers from the store Pike Place Fish Market throwing fish across each other, including one throwing a fish up the Warped Wall, and another fish thrower throwing it to Akbar's hands.
Baltimore Finals[]
- Matt & Akbar joining a celebration alongside the Ravens marching band.
- Justin Andelin, owner of the penguin that attacked Akbar a few weeks ago, falling on Crank It Up.
Cincinnati Finals[]
- Chicagoan Dan Polizzi ripping his shirt off as he finished the Cincinnati City Finals course, for fellow Chicagoan Tyler Yamauchi to rip his shirt off as well.
- The mascot from the Cincinnati Reds baseball team giving Iseman a massage, ignoring Akbar.
ANW 13 QF EP 1[]
#3: Former Mrs. Tennessee Juliana Wilson coming up short on the Shrinking Steps.
#2: Dana Kielar's horse Gus watching her from the barn in the virtual audience, just for Kielar to fall on Overpass.
#1: Moonwalking college mascot Nicki Asirvadam skimming the water on the Shrinking Steps.
ANW13 QF EP 2[]
#3: Spartan ninja Emmanuel McConnell "surrendering" on the first obstacle.
#2: Nurse Melissa Jackson taking a long ride on her unicycle, falling on Weight for It.
#1: Carpenter Zac Palazzo is a fire-breather, and brought his work-belt to the course, only to fall on Tipping Point.
ANW13 QF EP 3[]
#3: Death Metal enthusiast Josh Wagg making it to the fifth obstacle, Pretzel Twist, before falling on it.
#2: Jessica Helmer letting Zuri Hall bunny-sit for one of her bunnies, while she ran.
#1: Professional poker player Tony Miles betting $75,000 that he'd hit the buzzer yet falling on Pretzel Twist.
ANW13 QF EP 4[]
#3: Yoga teacher & contortionist Aubry Marie showing off contortions, for her to just wipeout on Double Down.
#2: Bryan Mendez's mother giving the hosts authentic Salvadoran pupusas, while Mendez made it to the fourth obstacle, Air Surfer.
#1: Music teacher John Huie leading his middle school orchestra, for Huie to fall on Double Down.
ANW13 QF EP 5[]
#3: Preschool teacher Trinnie Bush showing up in a prairie outfit, only for her to fall on the Shrinking Steps.
#2: Mike Silenzi's fellow Ninjas showing up in a stampede for the Stallion, as Silenzi made his way to the buzzer.
#1: Eric Middleton winning the bet he made for Matt & Akbar to eat a pair of tomato hornworms by finishing the course.
ANW14 QF EP 1[]
#3: The Dirtbike Ninja Zach DiPoalo setting off on a dirtbike to the startline, just for him to fail the second obstacle again.
#2: NBA player Amar'e Stoudemire cheering on his financial advisor, James Bartholomew, just for him to shoot an airball at Carnival.
#1: Dairy farmer Caleb Dowden brought milk from his farm, as he fell on Rollercoaster.
ANW14 QF EP 2[]
#3: Rock-&-Roll pastor Robbie Jimenez shredded his guitar at the start line, only for him to fall on the Shrinking Steps.
#2: Lego fanatic James Burns owns more than 300,000 pieces, bringing a set of Matt & Akbar in the host tower while Burns gets up the Warped Wall. Unfortunately, he wound up falling right before that on Piston Plunge.
#1: Retired Air Force pilot Dave Kozak, at 75, was the oldest to compete that season, but he came up short on the Shrinking Steps.
ANW14 QF EP 3[]
- Chicago barbecue chef Jordan Freeman brought ribs for Matt & Akbar, only to fall short on the Log Runner.
- Nebraskan Mike Galeski, alongside his audience dressed after pencils, made it to the Kickboards.
Outside ANW[]
MLB First Pitch[]
In a Phillies vs. Giants baseball game, Akbar had the honor to throw the first pitch. However, he hilariously threw it awkwardly, where the baseball landed right on the dirt. His pitch is currently known by the MLB as one of the most awkward ceremonial first pitches.
His awkward throw was mentioned several times during the Philadelphia qualifiers in ANW 10. It was especially noted after Allyssa Beird finished the qualifying course. After he threw an apple to her, Kristine Leahy noted that he threw the apple better than the first pitch at the Phillies vs. Giants game.
Additionally, competitor James Bartholomew threw a first pitch at the start of his run as tribute to his pitch.