From Lagos to Los Angeles: The Journey of Praise Olatoke
Praise Olatoke's journey from a young boy in Lagos to a player on the Los Angeles Chargers roster is a testament to perseverance and an unyielding belief in destiny. Born in Nigeria, Olatoke's life changed dramatically when he and his family relocated to Scotland at the tender age of five. His early years in Scotland laid the foundation for what would become an exceptional athletic career, though it began far from the football field.
In Scotland, Olatoke initially honed his athletic prowess on the track, a path that soon earned him a scholarship at Canada's Trinity Western University. His talents were evident, and his career trajectory seemed set. Yet, life had different plans. In 2021, he transferred to Ohio State University, where he continued his athletic journey but faced significant challenges along the way.
Olatoke's time with the Ohio State Buckeyes track team was marked by both triumph and tribulation. He suffered a torn Achilles tendon, a severe setback for any athlete. However, it was at Ohio State that Olatoke first encountered football, albeit in an unconventional manner. "I never played NCAA football," he shared. "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 not playing NCAA football, his raw talent was apparent. A memorable moment came when Olatoke caught a 65-yard touchdown pass against Michigan State, hinting at his untapped potential on the gridiron. His performance did not go unnoticed, and he later participated in the NFL International Player Pathway Program (IPPP), which would become a pivotal step in his journey.
Olatoke's participation in the IPPP led him to the IMG Academy, a renowned training ground for future sports stars. His skill and determination caught the eye of several NFL teams, including the Philadelphia Eagles. "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.
However, fortune favored Olatoke when the Los Angeles Chargers expressed interest. "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 said. The uncertainty didn't last long. On the final day of minicamp, Olatoke was summoned for a meeting with the Chargers' General Manager. "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.'
The meeting concluded with Olatoke being offered a contract, solidifying his position 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 said, reflecting on the whirlwind experience.
Olatoke's story is more than just a narrative of personal ambition; it underscores the unpredictable nature of sports careers and the myriad factors that influence them. "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, recognizing the rarity of his journey. "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."
Despite the hurdles, Olatoke's resolve remained unflagging, a quality that eventually led to his success. "If you want it bad enough, I think you can always make things fall your way. You can create your own luck essentially," he stated, summing up a philosophy that has carried him from the tracks of Scotland to the fields of the NFL.
Now with the Chargers, Olatoke joins fellow IPPP participant CJ Okoye on a team looking to improve from their 5-12 finish last season. His journey has also been supported by friends like Louis Rees-Zammit, a former Wales rugby star, adding yet another layer to a story rich with cross-cultural and cross-sport experiences.
In the end, Praise Olatoke's path to the NFL exemplifies the fusion of opportunity, hard work, and a bit of serendipity. As he suits up for the Chargers, his eyes are set on making a significant impact, proving that sometimes, dreams do come true in the most unexpected ways.