A Journey from Lagos to Los Angeles: The Extraordinary Path of Praise Olatoke
Born in Lagos, Nigeria, Praise Olatoke's journey to professional football is nothing short of extraordinary. At the tender age of five, Olatoke relocated with his family to Scotland, a move that set his life's trajectory on a fascinating course. Initially focusing on track, Olatoke's early athletic prowess earned him a scholarship at Canada's Trinity Western University, demonstrating the young athlete's remarkable versatility.
In 2021, Olatoke made another significant move, this time to Ohio State University, where he joined the Buckeyes track team. During his time at Ohio State, a torn Achilles tendon temporarily sidelined his athletic career. Despite this setback, Olatoke found a new passion in football, joining the club football team at Ohio State. Remarkably, Olatoke never played NCAA football, emphasizing the grassroots nature of his introduction to the sport. "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?" he reflected.
Olatoke's talent did not go unnoticed. He made a memorable play with a 65-yard touchdown pass against Michigan State, an achievement that highlighted his potential on the football field. His skills earned him a spot in the NFL International Player Pathway Program (IPPP), a gateway for international players to join the NFL. Following his time at IMG Academy, Olatoke was allocated to the Los Angeles Chargers.
However, his journey to the NFL was far from straightforward. After participating in the Philadelphia Eagles' rookie minicamp without securing a place, Olatoke received an unexpected invitation from the Chargers. "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 recalled. The minicamp culminated in a meeting with the Chargers' GM, who informed Olatoke of the team's decision to sign him. "There and then, within an hour-and-a-half or so, they offered me a contract, and I'm a Charger," said Olatoke.
It was a moment of disbelief and triumph for the young athlete, who recognizes the element of fortune in his success. "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, while underscoring the rarity of such opportunities. "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."
Yet, Olatoke's story is not just one of luck but also of resilience and self-belief. "If you want it bad enough, I think you can always make things fall your way. You can create your own luck essentially," he affirmed. His time with the Chargers represents a new chapter in his life, one filled with promise and the determination to succeed. Despite the Chargers' challenging 5-12 finish last season, the addition of Olatoke and another IPPP player, CJ Okoye, to the team may signal brighter days ahead.
Olatoke's journey also highlights the importance of camaraderie and support. His friendship with Louis Rees-Zammit, a former Wales rugby star, has been a source of encouragement. Such relationships underscore the universal nature of sport and the shared experiences that bind athletes across different disciplines.
In a world where the NCAA's immense resources often dominate the narrative, Olatoke's path serves as a reminder of the alternative routes to success. "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," he observed. For Olatoke, the path less traveled has led to unexpected but highly rewarding opportunities, validating his unorthodox journey.
With the ink dry on his contract with the Chargers, Praise Olatoke's remarkable story is still unfolding. From the streets of Lagos to the bright lights of Los Angeles, his journey is a testament to the power of perseverance, adaptability, and the belief that with enough determination, anyone can achieve their dreams.