From Lagos to the Gridiron: Praise Olatoke's Unlikely Journey to the NFL
Lagos, Nigeria, to Los Angeles, California—a journey that covers thousands of miles geographically and, for Praise Olatoke, an even greater distance in ambition and dreams. Born in the bustling city of Lagos, Olatoke's path to the NFL is one shaped by relentless perseverance, serendipity, and a touch of good fortune.
Relocating to Scotland at the tender age of five, Olatoke’s early athletic career was rooted in track events. Demonstrating significant promise on the track, he earned a scholarship to Trinity Western in Canada. From there, his journey took him to Ohio State University in 2021, where he spent two seasons with the Buckeyes track team.
While at Ohio State, a torn Achilles tendon marked a serious setback in his athletic endeavors. Yet, it proved to be a pivot point rather than an endpoint. His introduction to the sport that would change his life came through club football at Ohio State—a far cry from the stadiums filled with cheering fans and lucrative deals of NCAA football.
"I never played NCAA football. The club football is just guys who come together to play football and enjoy a Saturday morning. That's really it. It might be 15, 20 people in a crowd. There could be 50. Who knows?" Olatoke recalled.
From this modest beginning, his journey to professional football took off with a surprising twist. Contrary to typical collegiate football paths marked by extensive exposure and scouting, Olatoke's route was an anomaly. "Basically, the NCAA has money; that's it. The NCAA has billions of dollars every year that funnels into it to make a show, to make a production," he explained.
It was through the NFL International Player Pathway Program (IPPP) that Olatoke began to catch the eyes of scouts, showcasing his talent and determination. After spending time honing his skills at the IMG Academy, Olatoke was allocated to the Los Angeles Chargers. However, the road was still not without its hurdles.
Following a brief foray with the Philadelphia Eagles’ rookie minicamp where he was not selected, the Chargers reached out, extending an invitation to their minicamp. This opportunity was met with hesitation. "A few weeks later, the Chargers reached out to me and said, 'Hey, we would be interested in bringing you out to our minicamp'. At first, I wasn't sure what was going on because they only sent me a one-way ticket," Olatoke noted.
It wasn't until the final day of the minicamp that Olatoke truly understood how close he was to achieving his dreams. "On the last day -- which was a Thursday -- one of the staff said, 'Hey, you've got a meeting with the GM'. I walked in and saw the GM. There were a couple of other people there, and they basically said: 'We like you. We think we're going to take a chance on you, so if you're up for it and you're willing to work, we're going to sign you.'"
Within an hour and a half, the formalities were completed, and Olatoke was officially a Charger. The sense of achievement, intensified by the unlikely path he had taken, was palpable in his reflections. "There and then, within an hour-and-a-half or so, they offered me a contract, and I'm a Charger," he shared, excitement evident in his words.
Olatoke’s story is a testament to the unpredictable nature of sports, where talent and opportunity can intersect in the most unconventional ways. "I'm not going to deny that I got lucky to be in this situation. So many different dominoes had to fall my way," he confessed, underscoring the rarity of his accomplishment. "I think the statistic is one out of every 300,000 or 400,000 high school kids in the U.S. make it to the league," he added, highlighting the competitive enormity of reaching the NFL.
The Chargers, who ended the previous season with a 5-12 record, now have two international players from the IPPP—CJ Okoye and Praise Olatoke—on their roster. The presence of these players underscores the growing influence of international talent in America's premier football league.
Despite the odds, Olatoke’s resilience and unyielding spirit led him to an NFL contract. It’s a journey that he hopes will inspire many others. As he put it, "If you want it bad enough, I think you can always make things fall your way. You can create your own luck essentially."
His story is not just about the transition from track to American football; it is about defying expectations and embracing opportunities—no matter how they come. Friends like Louis Rees-Zammit, a former Wales rugby star, have been part of his journey, offering support and camaraderie along the way.
As Olatoke settles into his role with the Chargers, his path remains a fascinating testament to the power of tenacity and the unpredictable journey of reaching the NFL from the streets of Lagos to the fields of Los Angeles.