Praise Olatoke's Unlikely Journey to the NFL
Born in Lagos, Nigeria, Praise Olatoke’s path to the NFL was anything but conventional. Olatoke’s journey began thousands of miles from the football fields of America, his early years spent in Lagos and later Scotland, where he moved at the age of five. His initial athletic passion was not football, but track, a sport that would eventually earn him a scholarship at Trinity Western in Canada.
In 2021, Olatoke made a pivotal move to Ohio State University. There, his focus on athletics continued, and he spent two seasons with the Buckeyes track team. Unfortunately, his time on the track was marred by a significant setback—a torn Achilles tendon. However, this injury set the stage for the next unexpected turn in his journey.
From Track to Club Football
“I never played NCAA football,” Olatoke said, reflecting on his shift to football during his time in Ohio. “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?” It was through this humble setting that Olatoke first connected with American football, catching a 65-yard touchdown pass against Michigan State and earning the attention of scouts.
Recognizing his potential, Olatoke entered the NFL International Player Pathway Program (IPPP), which seeks to provide international athletes the opportunity to compete in the NFL. His efforts paid off, and after honing his skills at IMG Academy, he was allocated to the Los Angeles Chargers.
A Shot with the Eagles
Before joining the Chargers, Olatoke had an opportunity with the Philadelphia Eagles. “After the IPP and stuff, there were a couple of teams that reached out. One of them, obviously, was the Eagles,” Olatoke recounted. “I went to their rookie minicamp, but that didn't work out.” Despite the setback, Olatoke’s journey was far from over. “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.”
This uncertainty was short-lived. “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, Olatoke’s dreams crystallized into reality, and he became a Charger.
Creating His Own Luck
Reflecting on his experiences, Olatoke remains pragmatic yet inspirational. “I'm not going to deny that I got lucky to be in this situation. So many different dominoes had to fall my way.” His journey underscores the incredible odds faced by athletes worldwide. “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 said.
Yet, Olatoke’s story is a testament to perseverance and self-determination. “If you want it bad enough, I think you can always make things fall your way. You can create your own luck essentially.”
The Los Angeles Chargers, who finished last season with a 5-12 record, hope that Olatoke can be part of the revival. Alongside him, another participant from the IPPP, CJ Okoye, is also on the team, adding an international flair to their roster. The camaraderie and shared experiences between these international players are likely to be a cornerstone of their integration and success.
Off the field, Olatoke counts former Wales rugby star Louis Rees-Zammit among his friends, highlighting the diverse and global nature of his support network. From track star to NFL prospect, Praise Olatoke’s journey is a remarkable narrative of resilience, adaptability, and the relentless pursuit of dreams against all odds.