An Unlikely Journey: Praise Olatoke’s Path from Lagos to the NFL
Born in Lagos, Nigeria, Praise Olatoke's journey to the National Football League is a tale of resilience, serendipity, and sheer determination. Relocating to Scotland at the tender age of five, Olatoke's early years were not marked by dreams of gridiron glory. Instead, his athletic aspirations were firmly rooted in track and field, a pursuit that earned him a scholarship to Canada's Trinity Western University.
The shift in Olatoke's sporting career began in 2021 when he moved to Ohio State University. His time with the Buckeyes' track team was not without challenges. A torn Achilles tendon sidelined him, a significant setback for any athlete. However, fate intervened, introducing him to the world of football through club football at Ohio State. "The club football is just guys who come together to play football and enjoy a Saturday morning," Olatoke recounts. "That's really it. It might be 15, 20 people in a crowd. There could be 50. Who knows?"
Despite never playing NCAA football, Olatoke's athletic prowess did not go unnoticed. His talent on the football field culminated in a memorable moment when he caught a 65-yard touchdown pass against Michigan State. This performance and his participation in the NFL International Player Pathway Program (IPPP) paved the way for the next chapter in his remarkable journey.
After a stint at IMG Academy, Olatoke was allocated to the Los Angeles Chargers, a move that introduced him to the professional realm. Before this, he attended the Philadelphia Eagles' 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," Olatoke recalls. However, it wasn't long before the Chargers came calling.
"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 says with a hint of disbelief. The pivotal moment came on the last day of the camp. "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.'"
This chance encounter culminated in Olatoke signing a contract with the Chargers. "There and then, within an hour-and-a-half or so, they offered me a contract, and I'm a Charger," he recalls with palpable pride. For Olatoke, this opportunity is a testament to his belief in creating one's own luck. "If you want it bad enough, I think you can always make things fall your way. You can create your own luck essentially."
Interestingly, Praise Olatoke is not the only IPPP graduate on the Chargers' roster. He joins CJ Okoye, both of whom represent a unique pipeline funneling international talent into the NFL. The Chargers, although finishing with a 5-12 record last season, seem committed to investing in untapped potential, with an eye on long-term growth and success.
Olatoke’s story is a fascinating blend of global mobility, cross-sport transition, and dogged perseverance. From Lagos to Scotland, Canada, and now the United States, his journey underscores the unpredictable pathways that can lead to sporting greatness. It's also a reminder of the global reach and allure of American football, drawing talent from all corners of the world. As Olatoke continues to develop his skills with the Chargers, his journey serves as an inspiration to aspiring athletes worldwide, proving that unconventional routes can indeed lead to the pinnacle of professional sports.