Nigerian player finds NFL opportunity through YouTube in just 5 years.
A Nigerian Athlete Discovers American Football on YouTube and Makes it to the NFL
In a remarkable journey, Nigerian athlete Haggai Ndubuisi has risen to the highest level of American football, despite only discovering the sport five years ago.
Originally from Lagos, Nigeria, Ndubuisi’s interest in American football was sparked by watching a compilation of devastating NFL hits on YouTube. Inspired by what he saw, he began practicing the game with his friends, even though he didn’t fully understand the complex rules. At times, he would even practice alone to improve his skills.
However, American football is not as popular in Nigeria as soccer, the country’s main sport. Nevertheless, Ndubuisi’s talent caught the attention of the NFL through the International Player Pathway Program (IPPP), led by former NFL player Osi Umenyiora. This program aims to discover talent outside the United States, and Ndubuisi was one of the players identified in his native country.
Speaking after a practice at the Denver Broncos’ training camp, Ndubuisi expressed his love for the sport, saying, “I was just enjoying it. Like… this is what I want to do.”
Although Ndubuisi faces tough competition to secure a spot on the Broncos’ regular roster this season, as a member of the IPPP, he has the opportunity to play on the team’s practice squad through a roster exemption. Last year, he competed for the Arizona Cardinals in training camp as an offensive lineman but did not play in the regular season.
Standing at an impressive 6-foot-7 and weighing 323 pounds, Ndubuisi described being allocated to the Broncos this year as a dream come true and a sign of hope for his future in the sport.
Switching to the defensive side of the ball, Ndubuisi made an impact in his debut, recording two tackles against the Cardinals in a preseason game.
Ndubuisi is one of four African players, all from Nigeria, who have been signed to NFL teams for the 2023 season.
NFL International Pathway 2023
AFC WestChiefs – Chu Godrick
Chargers – Basil Okoye
Broncos – Haggai Ndubuisi
Raiders – David Agoha pic.twitter.com/lsvBBFlR0t— The Euro Agent (@euroagent) May 4, 2023
In addition to Ndubuisi, another Nigerian defensive lineman, Basil “CJ” Okoye, made an impact for the Los Angeles Chargers, earning a sack in his first organized gridiron contest against the Los Angeles Rams.
Reflecting on his journey, Okoye expressed his gratitude for the opportunity, saying, “Sometimes it hits me, ‘You’re in the States with the Chargers in the NFL. You need to make the most out of it.'”
These inspiring stories highlight the power of determination and the global reach of American football, proving that dreams can come true with hard work and a little bit of luck.
Source: The Western Journal
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