Praise Olatoke: From Lagos to the NFL via Unconventional Routes
Praise Olatoke's journey from Lagos, Nigeria, to an NFL contract with the Los Angeles Chargers is nothing short of extraordinary. Born in the bustling city of Lagos, Olatoke's path took a dramatic turn when he relocated to Scotland at the tender age of five. Early on, his athletic prowess shone brightest on the track, a discipline he pursued with great dedication.
His talent on the track earned him a scholarship to Canada's Trinity Western University, a testament to his relentless work ethic and athletic ability. However, it was not until his move to Ohio State University in 2021 that his story began to intertwine with American football.
At Ohio State, Olatoke spent two seasons with the Buckeyes track team, but his journey was far from smooth. A torn Achilles tendon during one season was a significant setback. Nevertheless, adversity did not deter him. Instead, it paved the way for a serendipitous introduction to football through club football at Ohio State. As he put it, "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?"
The simplicity of those Saturday mornings belied the monumental shift in Olatoke's athletic career. Despite not playing NCAA football, he quickly made a name for himself by catching a 65-yard touchdown pass against Michigan State, an impressive feat that caught the attention of scouts and coaches.
Olatoke's growing reputation led him to the NFL International Player Pathway Program (IPPP), a stepping stone that would bring him closer to his NFL dream. Following his time at the prestigious IMG Academy, he was allocated to the Los Angeles Chargers, one of the most exciting franchises in the league.
Yet, the road to an NFL contract was still filled with uncertainty. Olatoke attended the Philadelphia Eagles' rookie minicamp but was not selected. Reflecting on the experience, he said, "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."
Undeterred, Olatoke's perseverance paid off when the Chargers extended an invitation to their minicamp. His initial apprehension about the one-way ticket to Los Angeles was quickly dispelled by a fortuitous meeting with the Chargers' General Manager. "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 had a contract with the Chargers, cementing his status as a professional football player. Speaking on this life-changing moment, he remarked, "There and then, within an hour-and-a-half or so, they offered me a contract, and I'm a Charger."
This remarkable journey from track star to football player illustrates Olatoke's resilience and adaptability. His story is a testament to the power of perseverance and the willingness to seize opportunities. "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. But it wasn't just luck; it was also his tenacity and determination. "If you want it bad enough, I think you can always make things fall your way. You can create your own luck essentially."
Despite an impressive personal journey, Olatoke remains level-headed about the broader challenges aspiring footballers face. "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 noted, acknowledging the daunting odds that he has managed to overcome.
As Praise Olatoke embarks on his career with the Los Angeles Chargers, the team looks forward to better fortunes. Coming off a 5-12 season, the Chargers are banking on new talent, including Olatoke and another IPPP alumnus, CJ Okoye, to turn the tide. Amid this backdrop, Olatoke's incredible journey stands as an inspiration, not just to aspiring athletes, but to anyone striving to defy the odds and achieve their dreams.