Praise Olatoke's journey from the streets of Lagos, Nigeria, to signing a professional contract with the Los Angeles Chargers is nothing short of extraordinary. Olatoke, who relocated to Scotland at the tender age of five, initially found his athletic stride in track and field, a far cry from the gridiron where he now makes his mark.
His prowess on the track earned him a scholarship to Canada's Trinity Western, where his athletic career began to take shape. In 2021, Olatoke made a significant move to Ohio State University, joining the Buckeyes track team. Despite suffering a torn Achilles tendon during one of his seasons at Ohio State, a setback that would derail many, Olatoke found an unexpected solace in football.
Introduction to Football
Olatoke's first taste of football was rather unconventional. "I never played NCAA football," he candidly admits. "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?" It was within these casual games that Olatoke's talent landed him a 65-yard touchdown pass against Michigan State, an eye-catching feat that would eventually pave the way for his football career.
Pathway to the NFL
Post-college, Olatoke participated in the NFL International Player Pathway Program (IPPP), an initiative designed to provide opportunities for overseas talent to shine in the NFL. His performance earned him a stint at IMG Academy, further honing his skills before being allocated to the Los Angeles Chargers. Despite the eye-opening journey, Olatoke remains humble, acknowledging the role of luck in his progress. "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 reflects.
Trials and Triumphs
Olatoke's path was far from smooth. The Philadelphia Eagles invited him to their rookie minicamp, but it did not culminate in a contract. "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 shares. However, perseverance paid off when the Chargers offered him an opportunity. "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."
The culmination of hard work and determination came during that Chargers minicamp. "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.'"
Seizing the Opportunity
In a whirlwind of events, Olatoke signed his contract within hours. "There and then, within an hour-and-a-half or so, they offered me a contract, and I'm a Charger." Reflecting on his journey, Olatoke emphasizes the importance of resilience and self-belief. "If you want it bad enough, I think you can always make things fall your way. You can create your own luck essentially."
While the Los Angeles Chargers may have finished their season with a 5-12 record, the presence of international talents like Olatoke and CJ Okoye, another IPPP alum, adds a global dimension and fresh hope to the team. Olatoke, who counts former Wales rugby star Louis Rees-Zammit among his friends, is ready to make his mark in the NFL, creating a story that can inspire countless young athletes worldwide.