From Lagos to Los Angeles: The Remarkable Journey of Praise Olatoke
Praise Olatoke’s journey to the NFL is nothing short of extraordinary. Born in Lagos, Nigeria, Olatoke moved to Scotland at the tender age of five. His early years were a testament to athletic prowess, initially making a mark in track and field. His talent earned him a scholarship at Canada's Trinity Western University, a significant milestone for the young athlete.
In 2021, Olatoke's path took him to Ohio State University, where he joined the Buckeyes track team. His tenure there was marked by determination and resilience, especially when he faced a significant setback — a torn Achilles tendon. Despite this injury, Olatoke's resolve never wavered, ultimately leading him to explore a new sporting avenue.
A New Arena: Club Football at Ohio State
While at Ohio State, Olatoke was introduced to football through the club environment. It was a far cry from the grandeur of NCAA football, but for Olatoke, it was an unexpected gateway to his future.
"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 shared.
The informal nature of club football did not dampen his enthusiasm. Instead, it prepared him for bigger opportunities. His skill caught the attention of scouts, and eventually, he participated in the NFL International Player Pathway Program (IPPP), which serves as a bridge for international talent to enter the NFL.
Pathway to the Pros
After a stint at IMG Academy, a training facility known for producing elite athletes, Olatoke was allocated to the Los Angeles Chargers. His journey included attending the Philadelphia Eagles' rookie minicamp, though it didn't culminate in a roster spot.
"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.
Yet, fate intervened—albeit in a somewhat perplexing manner. "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," he explained.
This move turned out to be life-changing. During the minicamp, he impressed the coaching staff and the 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 a mere hour-and-a-half, Olatoke had a contract in hand. "There and then, within an hour-and-a-half or so, they offered me a contract, and I'm a Charger."
Odds and Achievements
Olatoke’s road to professional football is exceptional, primarily because he transitioned to the sport later than most of his peers and without NCAA experience. "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," Olatoke noted.
Understanding the rarity of his achievement, Olatoke acknowledged, "I'm not going to deny that I got lucky to be in this situation. So many different dominoes had to fall my way." Olatoke seems aware of the statistical improbability of his journey, stating, "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."
Regardless, he believes in the transformative power of determination and effort. "If you want it bad enough, I think you can always make things fall your way. You can create your own luck essentially," Olatoke asserted.
Conclusion
The Los Angeles Chargers, who finished 5-12 last season, now have two promising talents from the IPPP: CJ Okoye and Praise Olatoke. Though Olatoke’s journey to the NFL was unconventional, it serves as a testament to perseverance, skill, and perhaps a bit of serendipity. Friends like former Wales rugby star Louis Rees-Zammit may serve as additional support, but it’s clear Olatoke’s journey is uniquely his own.