Praise Olatoke's Fortuitous Journey from Lagos to the NFL
Praise Olatoke's journey to the NFL is nothing short of remarkable—a tale of perseverance, adaptability, and serendipity that saw him move from Lagos, Nigeria, to the Los Angeles Chargers with numerous stops along the way.
A Transcontinental Dream
Olatoke was born in Lagos, Nigeria, and relocated to Scotland when he was just five years old. His early athletic career didn't revolve around football, but rather track. His talent on the field eventually earned him a scholarship at Canada's Trinity Western. In 2021, he moved to Ohio State University and spent two seasons on the Buckeyes track team. Unfortunately, a torn Achilles tendon ruined one of those seasons, but he bounced back to show promise during his time on the track.
Football's Serendipitous Entry
Olatoke's initial introduction to football came via club football at Ohio State, rather than through the NCAA. "I never played NCAA football," Olatoke remarked. "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?"
Despite never having the platform and resources that come with NCAA football, he nonetheless demonstrated significant potential. In a second game, he showcased his abilities by catching a 65-yard touchdown pass against Michigan State. "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 added.
The NFL International Pathway
Praise Olatoke’s rise in football took a significant turn with the NFL International Player Pathway Program (IPPP). He was allocated to the Los Angeles Chargers after a stint at IMG Academy. "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 acknowledged. "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."
This element of luck extended to his interactions with NFL teams. "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," Olatoke recounted. "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."
A Leap of Faith
Eventually, the Chargers organization decided to take a chance on him. "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,'" Olatoke said. "There and then, within an hour-and-a-half or so, they offered me a contract, and I'm a Charger."
Winning Against the Odds
It's worth noting that the Chargers haven't been overwhelming favorites, finishing 5-12 last season. Still, they now boast two of the IPPP's best products -- CJ Okoye and Praise Olatoke. "If you want it bad enough, I think you can always make things fall your way. You can create your own luck essentially," Olatoke believes.
Today, Olatoke stands as a 6-foot-2 testament to resilience and the power of unconventional paths. He serves as an inspiration not just to other international athletes aspiring to enter the NFL, but to anyone facing long odds in the pursuit of their dreams. While his friend Louis Rees-Zammit, a former Wales rugby star, may share camaraderie with him, it’s Olatoke’s unique journey that continues to capture the imagination of football fans worldwide.