From Lagos to Los Angeles: The Unlikely Rise of Praise Olatoke
Praise Olatoke's journey to the NFL is a testament to resilience, ambition, and a bit of serendipity. Born in Lagos, Nigeria, Olatoke moved across the globe at a young age, eventually landing in the world of professional football in the United States.
Early Life and Athletic Beginnings
Relocating to Scotland at the tender age of five, Olatoke's early athletic endeavors revolved around track. His prowess on the track earned him a scholarship at Canada's Trinity Western, marking the beginning of his international journey. Later, in 2021, he transferred to Ohio State University, where he spent two seasons on the Buckeyes track team. Unfortunately, his time in Ohio was marred by a torn Achilles tendon.
Transition to Football
Olatoke's introduction to football came not on the grand stages of NCAA stadiums but in a far more humble setting. "I never played NCAA football," Olatoke recalls. "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 modest start did little to hint at the paths that lay ahead.
The Breakthrough
Earning a stint at IMG Academy, Olatoke participated in the NFL International Player Pathway Program (IPPP). His persistence and skill were rewarded with his allocation to the Los Angeles Chargers. However, his road to securing a spot on the roster was far from straightforward.
Before joining the Chargers, Olatoke attended the Philadelphia Eagles' rookie minicamp, an experience he speaks about with candor: "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."
The Chargers saw potential in him and extended an invitation to their minicamp. Olatoke describes the unexpected nature of this opportunity: "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."
Seizing the Opportunity
Olatoke's performance at the Chargers' minicamp was evidently impressive. "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 recounts. The offer came swiftly: "There and then, within an hour-and-a-half or so, they offered me a contract, and I'm a Charger."
Outlook and Reflections
The Chargers' faith in Olatoke reflects the team's broader strategy of leveraging international talent—he stands alongside fellow IPPP player CJ Okoye on the roster. Though the Chargers ended their last season with a record of 5-12, the addition of players like Olatoke brings fresh hope and potential.
Reflecting on his journey, Olatoke remains humble yet optimistic: "I'm not going to deny that I got lucky to be in this situation. So many different dominoes had to fall my way." His advice to aspiring athletes is steeped in his own experience: "If you want it bad enough, I think you can always make things fall your way. You can create your own luck essentially."
Praise Olatoke's story, from the streets of Lagos to the fields of the NFL, serves as an inspiring reminder that grit, perseverance, and a bit of fortune can pave the way to extraordinary achievements.