From Lagos to Los Angeles: The Remarkable Journey of Praise Olatoke
Born in bustling Lagos, Nigeria, Praise Olatoke's journey to the pinnacle of American football is a tale of perseverance, adaptation, and seizing opportunities. Moving to Scotland at the tender age of five, Olatoke's initial athletic aspirations were grounded in track and field. An evident talent on the track secured him a scholarship to Canada's Trinity Western University. However, it wasn't long before Olatoke made another significant move.
In 2021, Olatoke transitioned to Ohio State University, where he joined the Buckeyes track team for two seasons. Unfortunately, his promising trajectory hit a snag with a torn Achilles tendon. Yet, adversity often brings unexpected opportunities. It was during his recovery period that Olatoke was introduced to football through Ohio State’s club football scene.
"I never played NCAA football. 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?" Olatoke recalls.
Despite the informal nature of club football, Olatoke’s athletic prowess shone through. A standout moment came when he caught a 65-yard touchdown pass against Michigan State. While he didn’t play for the NCAA, Olatoke's talents did not go unnoticed. He became a participant in the NFL International Player Pathway Program (IPPP), an initiative designed to provide elite international athletes with the opportunity to earn a spot in the NFL.
Following his stint at the renowned IMG Academy, Olatoke found himself allocated to the Los Angeles Chargers. He also had the chance to attend the Philadelphia Eagles' rookie minicamp, though that opportunity did not pan out as he had hoped. "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 shares.
The Chargers, however, saw potential. They extended an invitation to their minicamp. "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 explains. The uncertainty was short-lived. "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 an hour and a half, Olatoke received and accepted a contract offer, becoming a Charger. Reflecting on his journey, Olatoke acknowledges the element of fortune in his path. "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, there’s no denying the hard work and determination that underpin 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 asserts.
Olatoke's story is further enriched by his ties with Louis Rees-Zammit, a former Wales rugby star, with whom he shares a deep friendship. Such connections have undoubtedly influenced and supported his journey in professional sports.
It's a journey that sees Olatoke now standing alongside fellow IPPP participant CJ Okoye on the Chargers' roster. While the team finished with a disappointing 5-12 record last season, there’s a palpable sense of optimism with fresh talents like Olatoke in the mix.
His narrative serves as an inspiration—an illustration of how opportunities can manifest in the most unexpected ways, and how tenacity and adaptability can lead to extraordinary outcomes. Praise Olatoke is a testament to the adage that with passion and perseverance, even the loftiest dreams are within reach.