Nigerians have been leaving an indelible mark on the global sports stage for many years. Consequently, it comes as no surprise that numerous Nigerian athletes have become integral parts of football, basketball, and tennis teams in international clubs and leagues.
American football is no exception, and the National Football League (NFL) consistently welcomes Nigerian players into the beloved sport of the United States. Let's delve into the achievements of some noteworthy Nigerian players in the NFL.
International athletes have played in the NFL since the league's founding in 1920. There have been 9 foreign-born players inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Early Pioneers and Trailblazers
Several native Europeans played in the NFL's inaugural 1920 season, including fullback John Barsha of Russia, tackle John Kvist of Sweden, end Bob Nash of Ireland, and brothers John and Phil Nesser from Germany. The first Latino to play in the NFL was Ignacio Saturnino "Lou" Molinet, a Cuban who signed with the Frankford Yellow Jackets in 1927. His contract was donated to the Pro Football Hall of Fame by his daughter in 2000.
In 1944, the Philadelphia Eagles drafted Steve Van Buren, a halfback born in La Ceiba, Honduras, to an American father and a Spanish mother. He played eight seasons for the Eagles, and retired as the NFL's career leader in rushing attempts, rushing yards, and rushing touchdowns. In 1948, the Los Angeles Rams drafted Tom Fears. Fears was born in Guadalajara, Mexico, to an American father and a Mexican mother. He led the Rams' receiving game as a split end from 1948 to 1956, winning an NFL championship with the team in 1951. He later became the first Latino head coach in the history of the league, heading the New Orleans Saints staff from their inauguration in 1967, through the 1970 season.
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The first Colombian player in the NFL was Jairo Peñaranda, born in 1958 in Barranquilla. He played for the Los Angeles Rams and the Philadelphia Eagles. He would be followed by Fuad Reveiz, born in 1963 in Bogotá. Reveiz played for the Miami Dolphins during the 1985 season, and later for the San Diego Chargers and Minnesota Vikings. Martín Gramática, an Argentinian, was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as a placekicker in the 1999 NFL draft. He later played for the Indianapolis Colts, Dallas Cowboys, and New Orleans Saints. Cairo Santos, a Brazilian kicker, is the first NFL player born in Brazil. He currently plays for the Chicago Bears, holding three franchise records. He also holds nine Kansas City Chiefs franchise records. Sammis Reyes was the first Chilean to play in the NFL.
The Rise of Nigerian Players in the NFL
Where is Nigeria in the American Football League ? Not only is Nigeria a predominant sports nation in Africa, but a legion of athletes either Nigerian -born or of Nigerian descent are setting new standards in American Football. In 2008, the NFL draft recruited about 6 new Nigerian players who were phenomenal in college football. Last years draft saw the influx of quite a number of Nigerian players in the first round, and this year a few more are projected to be signed into the NFL.
Key Players and Their Achievements
Let's explore some of the notable Nigerian players who have made significant contributions to the NFL:
- James Ihedigbo: He was a football safety for the New York Jets, New England Patriots, Baltimore Ravens, Detroit Lions, and Buffalo Bills from 2008 to 2016. He was born to Nigerian parents who immigrated to the United States. Prior to joining the NFL, he had an impressive football career at the University of Massachusetts. According to Ihedigbo, his love for the sport started when he was just six years old. Although he dabbled in soccer, he found American football to be far more enjoyable.
- Ositadimma "Osi" Umenyiora: Osi Umenyiora is a former defensive end for the New York Giants and Atlanta Falcons, and no Nigerian NFL player list would be complete without him. Although born in London, Umenyiora spent a significant portion of his early life in Nigeria before moving to Alabama at the age of 14. He played football at Auburn High School and later for the Troy State Trojans in college. In the NFL, Umenyiora secured two Super Bowl victories and broke a record for fumbles.
Osi Umenyiora Records 6 Sacks as Defense Dominates vs. Eagles! (2004) | New York Giants Highlights
- Amobi Okoye: Nigerian-born Amobi Okoye is the youngest player to ever be drafted in the first round of the NFL draft, and he was first picked by the Houston Texans in 2007 at the age of 19. After playing with the Texans, he went on to play with the Chicago Bears and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers through 2012.
- Haggai Chisom Ndubuisi: Haggai Chisom Ndubuisi didn’t start playing American football until he was 18 years old, while he was still living in Nigeria. He claims to have started playing after just watching a YouTube video of the sport. In 2023, he was drafted by the Denver Broncos as a defensive lineman.
- Chukwuebuka Jason Godrick: Chukwuebuka Jason Godrick is an offensive lineman for the Kansas City Chiefs, working alongside players like Patrick Mahomes and Prince Tega Wanogho. After being drafted in 2023 at the age of 22, he joined the Chiefs’ training camp with little knowledge of the sport. Like other fresh international players, he was a basketball player back home in Nigeria.
- Obed Ariri: In 1984, Obed Ariri of Owerri, Nigeria, set Tampa Bay Buccaneers franchise single-season records for field goals (19 of 26) and points (95). Ariri also encouraged fellow Nigeria native Donald Igwebuike to tryout as kicker for the Clemson Tigers football team.
Other notable players include:
- Nnamdi Asomugha
- James Ugochu Ihedigbo
- Oshiomogho Isaac “O. J.” Atogwe
- Adewale Ogunleye
- Israel Idonije
- Brian Orakpo
- Chinedum “Nedu” Ndukwe
- Ovie Phillip Mughelli
- Remilekun “Remi” Ayodele
- Akinola James “Akin” Ayodele
- Ikechukwu Nelson “Ike” Ndukwe
- Busari “B.J.” Raji, Jr.
- Franklin Nonyelu Okam, Jr.
- Christian Emeka Okoye
The Uprise Initiative
... Former NFL player Osi Umenyiora, born in London to Nigerian parents, has made attracting more international players to the league one of his top priorities. And this year he has found significant success.
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The NFL announced today that eight players have been given roster spots for the 2023 season via the league’s International Pathway Program, and six of them are from Nigeria and were discovered via Umenyiora’s The Uprise initiative, which hosted the first NFL Africa talent camp last year.
“To see these fantastic young Nigerian men achieve their dream to be on an NFL roster is incredibly exciting, and I am proud of how each one of them have worked incredibly hard to earn this moment,” Umenyiora said in a statement. “I cannot wait to see how they develop next season and in the years to come, and know that everyone in Nigeria will be following their progress with pride.”
The six Nigerian players who will get NFL roster spots this year are defensive lineman Haggai Chisom Ndubuisi (Broncos), offensive lineman Chukwuebuka Godrick (Chiefs), defensive lineman David Ebuka Agoha (Raiders), defensive lineman Basil Chijioke Okoye (Chargers), offensive lineman Roy Mbaeteka (Bears) and defensive lineman Kenneth Odumegwu (Packers).
The NFL’s International Pathway Program will also give roster spots to Australian tight end Patrick Murtagh (Lions) and French defensive lineman Junior Aho (Vikings).
The eight international players will be on their teams’ rosters through training camp, without counting toward the 90-player roster limit.
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Challenges and Opportunities
As Nigerians bear the brunt of blackouts, floods and high crime rates at home, 12 young men, most of whom only recently took up football, will have the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of their compatriot -- New York Giants' Roy Mbaeteka -- by impressing at the NFL International Combine in London (October 3-4).
Like most of the dozen players, Mbaeteka was a convert from basketball. He was discovered by the Ejike Ugboaja Foundation and roped into trying football by 2006 Cleveland Cavaliers draftee Ugboaja and two-time Super Bowl champion Osi Umenyiora.
Nigeria will be the best represented country at this year's London Combine and the only African country to field players, and 11 of their 12 invited prospects are also former basketball players.
Among those, the standout names are Chijioke 'CJ' Basil Okoye and Kenneth Odumegwu, the offensive and defensive MVPs respectively at the NFL Africa Touchdown camp in Accra, Ghana three months ago.
The Impact of Nigerians in the NFL
Nigerian players have undeniably altered the landscape of the NFL, contributing to Super Bowl victories and setting numerous records. Looking through the book of life, today, yesterday and even many years ago, one thing is constant - Nigerians have proven time and time again that IMPOSSIBLE IS NOTHING. We’ve broken barriers over and over again, as though they never even existed.
Talent is TALENT, doesn’t matter where you’re from. Run through the NFL list and voila!!! Nigerians! Nigerians! Nigerians! They’re everywhere… and guess what ? They’re not just getting by as ordinary players…. These guys are setting records everyday and we’re ignoring their existence.
Today, I’d like to take time out to send a major shout out to all Nigerians making a mark in Sports all across the globe - Swimming, Ice Hockey (uh huh! We know y’all are there), Boxing, Volleyball, Basketball, Racing, Cricket ….
