The SEC just hired someone who really knows what it’s like to grind in the trenches. The SEC’s new Associate Commissioner for Football is Roman Oben, a former NFL offensive tackle and Super Bowl champion. This next chapter feels more like everything coming full circle for a man who once thought he was “too prepared” for life after football.

“Roman Oben brings a rare combination of elite football experience and high-level sports-business leadership, with more than 15 years serving in senior executive and board roles across professional football, collegiate athletics, and global sport development,” said SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey. “Roman is well-positioned to grow SEC football through campus engagement and innovative operational strategies, and he will play a central role in advancing the SEC’s national influence and long-term success in college football.”

He was four when he came to the U.S. from Cameroon, as a kid starting over in a new country with his mom. Years later, he was fighting for a spot on the offensive line at Louisville as a first-generation college student trying to prove he belonged there. Then came the 12 NFL seasons in which he protected QBs on Sundays.

Now, years after winning Super Bowl XXXVII with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and carefully building a second career beyond the field, Roman Oben is stepping into one of the most important roles in college football.

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Who is Roman Oben’s wife?

Roman Oben’s wife Linda Claude-Oben. She’s a public interest attorney who works for victims of sexual abuse and domestic violence. Beyond her professional achievements, she is also a co-founder of the Haitian-American Lawyers Association of New Jersey and currently serves on its board.

Linda has been a co-navigator of life’s challenges and triumphs with Oben. “My mom was the first person to intimidate me, and Linda has been my partner in navigating life after football,” Oben said. Together, they’ve created an environment that blends athletic ambition with academic and personal growth, raising their two sons R.J. and André.

Who are Roman Oben’s parents & siblings?

Roman Oben was raised by a single mother who emigrated from Cameroon, and her influence shaped nearly every aspect of his life. She instilled in him a relentless work ethic and the importance of education. From forging a consent signature to join his high school football team to becoming a first-team All-American at Louisville, Oben credits his mother for teaching him how to balance boldness with responsibility. “My mom would say, ‘You need to focus on academics; we didn’t leave Cameroon for you just to become an athlete,’” he recalled.

Although little is publicly known about his siblings, Oben’s upbringing as part of an immigrant family exposed him to the challenges of navigating cultural transitions early on.

What is Roman Oben’s ethnicity & nationality?

Roman Oben is Cameroonian by birth and American by nationality. He grew up in American culture but carried the values and discipline of his Cameroonian roots. His multicultural upbringing gave him a unique lens on teamwork, adversity, and leadership. “Football brought people together who normally wouldn’t be together,” Oben said, recalling how he bonded with teammates despite cultural differences.

Oben’s heritage also plays a role in his son R.J.’s story. Cameroonian and Haitian-American, R.J. carried on the family legacy in college football at Notre Dame. Roman’s experience as a first-generation immigrant navigating U.S. sports and academics informs how he approaches mentorship today, both for his own children and the thousands of young athletes he oversees through NFL youth programs.

What is Roman Oben’s net worth?

Roman Oben has leveraged his NFL career into a diversified and impressive net worth. While we don’t have the exact numbers, reports place his net worth around $5 million, accumulated through a combination of NFL salaries, endorsements, executive roles, and entrepreneurial ventures.

“I took the necessary steps throughout my career so that I would be in the best position possible to make as many good decisions as I could when football was over,” Oben said. In Oben’s post-NFL career, he’s worked in media sales, taught as an adjunct professor, started a flag football company, and led youth football initiatives for the NFL.

What are Roman Oben’s football career highlights?

Roman Oben’s football resume is pretty impressive and inspiring. He was drafted in the third round of the 1996 NFL Draft by the New York Giants out of Louisville. Then he spent 12 years protecting quarterbacks across four teams. His most celebrated achievement came in 2002 when he was the starting offensive tackle for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, helping the team win Super Bowl XXXVII while allowing only one sack in 100 passing situations during the postseason.

Beyond the stats, Oben’s legacy includes his role as a leader and mentor. He served as the NFLPA team rep for three teams and eventually became the NFL’s Director of Youth and High School Football. His career shows that beyond football success he is also focused on leaving a lasting impact on the game and its players. “With real-world experience, and a master’s degree, I am able to work with different kinds of people—to listen and pay attention to what the issues are so we can solve problems,” he said.

Roman Oben’s journey from a being a Cameroonian immigrant to NFL Super Bowl champion and now SEC Associate Commissioner for Football is all about growth and lessons learned. Beyond the field, he’s also a devoted husband, father, and mentor shaping the next generation of athletes.