Praise Olatoke's journey from a young boy in Lagos, Nigeria, to a contract with the Los Angeles Chargers is nothing short of extraordinary. Born in Lagos, Olatoke relocated to Scotland at the tender age of five, where his early athletic interests were focused on the track. His natural talents earned him a scholarship at Canada's Trinity Western, propelling him further along his athletic path.
A New Path in Ohio
In 2021, Olatoke made another significant move, this time to Ohio State University. There, he spent two seasons with the Buckeyes track team. However, his time in Ohio wasn't without challenges. During one season, he suffered a torn Achilles tendon, a devastating injury that could have derailed his athletic career. Despite these setbacks, Olatoke found an unexpected introduction to football through club football at Ohio State.
Remarkably, Olatoke never played NCAA football. "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?" he said, reflecting on his humble football beginnings.
A Chance Encounter
Olatoke's big break came when he participated in the NFL International Player Pathway Program (IPPP), which eventually led to his allocation to the Los Angeles Chargers after a stint at IMG Academy. Despite the promising opportunity, his journey was still fraught with uncertainty. Olatoke even attended the Philadelphia Eagles' rookie minicamp but was not selected. Nonetheless, the Chargers saw potential in him and invited him to their minicamp.
The unexpected came quickly. "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 recalled. The uncertainty culminated in a life-changing moment: "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.' There and then, within an hour-and-a-half or so, they offered me a contract, and I'm a Charger."
Embracing the Opportunity
Olatoke’s story is not just about talent but also about timing and luck. "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 admitted. His humility is matched by his pragmatism about the sport's economic landscape. "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."
Yet, he remains an exemplar of creating one's destiny. "If you want it bad enough, I think you can always make things fall your way. You can create your own luck essentially," he asserted. This tenacity and resilience underscore his remarkable journey.
Looking Forward
Now a member of the Los Angeles Chargers, who finished 5-12 last season, Olatoke joins fellow IPPP participant CJ Okoye on the team. The duo brings a unique international flavor to the franchise, enriching the diversity of the league. One can’t help but wonder what lies ahead for Olatoke, especially after his impactful introduction to football at Ohio State, where he caught a memorable 65-yard touchdown pass against Michigan State.
Reflecting on the competitive nature of professional football, Olatoke pointed out, "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." With such odds, his ascent to the NFL is remarkable by any measure.
Supported by friends like former Wales rugby star Louis Rees-Zammit, Olatoke's support network is strong, and his determination unwavering. From the tracks of Trinity Western to the gridiron of the NFL, Praise Olatoke's story is a testament to perseverance, talent, and a bit of fortuitous timing.