Praise Olatoke: From Club Football to the Los Angeles Chargers
Praise Olatoke's journey from the streets of Lagos, Nigeria, to the gridiron in Los Angeles is a roadmap of perseverance and uncanny resilience. Born in Lagos, Olatoke’s family relocated to Scotland when he was just five years old. In the diverse athletic environments of Scotland, his early sports career took root on the track rather than the field. His talents soon earned him a scholarship to Canada's Trinity Western University. However, his journey didn't stop there; in 2021, he transferred to Ohio State University where he would spend two seasons with the Buckeyes track team. But it was during his time in the United States that his athletic aspirations took an unexpected turn.
Olatoke encountered significant challenges along the way, notably suffering a torn Achilles tendon during one season at Ohio State. Despite this setback, his tenacity and determination led him to explore other sports opportunities. He found his way onto the football field, albeit through a much less traditional route. "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 remarked, illustrating the humble beginnings of his football journey.
Though he never played NCAA football, Olatoke's athleticism shone brightly in club football at Ohio State, where he caught a memorable 65-yard touchdown pass against Michigan State. It was moments like these that highlighted his raw talent and set him on a path towards professional football.
The NFL International Player Pathway Program (IPPP) played a pivotal role in his transition to the professional league. Olatoke participated in this program, enhancing his visibility and honing his football skills. Following his stint at IMG Academy, he was allocated to the Los Angeles Chargers and even attended the Philadelphia Eagles' rookie minicamp. Despite not being selected by the Eagles, his journey was far from over. "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," he recalled. However, a few weeks later, fortune favored him. "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 added.
The minicamp with the Chargers turned out to be a defining moment in Olatoke's career. "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,'" he recounted. Within a matter of hours, Olatoke went from being an aspiring footballer to officially becoming a Charger. "There and then, within an hour-and-a-half or so, they offered me a contract, and I'm a Charger," he said with a mix of relief and excitement.
The Los Angeles Chargers, who finished the previous season with a 5-12 record, now have two promising players from the IPPP, including CJ Okoye and Praise Olatoke. Olatoke's journey underscores not only his athletic prowess but a deep sense of gratitude and realistic self-reflection. "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. Yet, he also emphasized the importance of creating one's own opportunities: "If you want it bad enough, I think you can always make things fall your way. You can create your own luck essentially."
As Praise Olatoke continues his journey, his story remains an inspiring testament to resilience and the unexpected paths that sometimes lead to glory. Befriended by Louis Rees-Zammit, a former Wales rugby star, Olatoke's network and influences herald a promising future. For a young man who once found solace in the simplicity of a Saturday morning football game, the professional stage now beckons, with the Los Angeles Chargers betting on his potential.