Praise Olatoke’s Unconventional Path to the NFL
The phrase "unlikely journey" gets thrown around often in the world of sports, but for Praise Olatoke, that description barely scratches the surface. Born in Lagos, Nigeria, Olatoke's path to the NFL is a testament to resilience, luck, and seizing opportunities when they come your way.
Olatoke relocated to Scotland at the tender age of five, where his athletic talents initially found an outlet in track events. His abilities on the track earned him a scholarship to Canada's Trinity Western University, paving the way for his athletic and academic growth on an international stage. However, the twists in his life were far from over.
In 2021, Olatoke took a significant step, moving to Ohio State University. His tenure with the Buckeyes track team spanned two seasons, but wasn’t without setbacks. A torn Achilles tendon interrupted his track aspirations and presented a daunting challenge. Nonetheless, rather than resigning himself to fate, Olatoke discovered a new passion: football.
His introduction to the sport wasn’t through traditional NCAA football. "I never played NCAA football," Olatoke shares candidly. "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?" This humble beginning might seem inauspicious, but it was the start of something remarkable.
Olatoke’s potential became evident in an unforgettable moment — catching a 65-yard touchdown pass against Michigan State. His athletic prowess and determination caught attention, leading him to participate in the NFL International Player Pathway Program (IPPP). The program aims to provide international players a route to the NFL, and for Olatoke, it became a conduit to the next chapter of his journey.
Following his educational stint at the IMG Academy, Olatoke was allocated to the Los Angeles Chargers, stepping into a realm uncharted for many. He also attended the Philadelphia Eagles' rookie minicamp, although it didn’t lead to an immediate opportunity. "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," he recalls.
But if one opportunity closes, another often opens. "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." Skepticism soon turned into elation as the Chargers offered him a contract following their minicamp. "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 hours, Olatoke was officially a Charger.
Gratitude and a realistic perspective color his reflection on this journey. "I'm not going to deny that I got lucky to be in this situation. So many different dominoes had to fall my way." Yet, Olatoke also believes in the power of effort 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."
The Los Angeles Chargers didn’t have the best season, finishing with a 5-12 record. But the team’s willingness to invest in international talents like Olatoke and CJ Okoye, another IPPP player, speaks volumes of their forward-thinking approach.
Off the pitch, Olatoke's friendships also reflect his multicultural journey. One notable friendship is with Louis Rees-Zammit, a former Wales rugby star, underscoring the global nature of his experiences and connections.
As Praise Olatoke prepares for what promises to be an exhilarating career in professional American football, his story serves as a powerful reminder that talent and perseverance can carve out a path even in the most unexpected of ways. From the tracks of Scotland to catching touchdown passes in the U.S., Olatoke exemplifies that dreams know no geographical boundaries.