Journey from Nigeria to the NFL: Praise Olatoke's Unconventional Road to the Los Angeles Chargers
Praise Olatoke's path to the NFL is anything but typical. Born in Lagos, Nigeria, Olatoke relocated to Scotland at the tender age of five. Initially, his athletic pursuits centered on the track, a field where he excelled to the point of earning a scholarship to Canada's Trinity Western University. However, it was a move in 2021 to Ohio State University that redirected his athletic journey.
Early Athletic Endeavors
At Ohio State, Olatoke spent two seasons with the Buckeyes track team. Unfortunately, his track career was marred by a significant setback—a torn Achilles tendon. Despite the injury, his resilience and determination led him to a new opportunity. Olatoke was introduced to football through club football at Ohio State, an avenue certainly less prestigious than NCAA football but one that allowed him to hone his skills.
"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 reflected.
From Club Football to the NFL International Player Pathway Program
Despite the modest beginnings, Olatoke's talent did not go unnoticed. His performance led him to the NFL International Player Pathway Program (IPPP), a program designed to offer international athletes a route to the NFL. This opportunity presented a pivotal moment in Olatoke's career trajectory.
"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 admitted. His prospects broadened significantly after participating in the IPPP, culminating in a stint at IMG Academy, a proving ground for football hopefuls.
Interest from NFL Teams
After completing the IPPP, Olatoke garnered interest from multiple NFL teams. Among them was the Philadelphia Eagles, where he attended a rookie minicamp. "After the IPP and stuff, there were a couple of teams that reached out. One of them, obviously, was the Eagles. I went to their rookie minicamp, but that didn't work out," he recounted.
Though he wasn't selected by the Eagles, another opportunity emerged swiftly. "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 said.
A Sign of Faith from the Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers extended an invitation, and Olatoke seized the moment. Describing the day he received the contract offer, Olatoke shared, "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.'" In a matter of hours, Olatoke became a Charger. "There and then, within an hour-and-a-half or so, they offered me a contract, and I'm a Charger."
The Journey Continues
The Chargers, who finished 5-12 last season, are banking on Olatoke and another player from the IPPP, CJ Okoye, to bolster their roster. Olatoke's story exemplifies a blend of luck, timing, and sheer willpower. "If you want it bad enough, I think you can always make things fall your way. You can create your own luck essentially," he asserted.
Despite his unorthodox path, which included catching a memorable 65-yard touchdown pass against Michigan State during his club football days, Olatoke remains grounded and motivated. His friendship with former Wales rugby star, Louis Rees-Zammit, adds another layer to his international sports connections.
As Praise Olatoke steps onto the field with the Chargers, his journey from Lagos to Los Angeles stands as a testament to the power of perseverance and the unique avenues through which talent can reach the pinnacle of professional sports.