Nigerians In The NFL

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. There are currently about 40+ African players in the National Football League out of which 70 percent are Nigerian.

Here's a list of what a fraction of Nigerian players there currently are in the NFL

Ositadimma “Osi” Umenyiora (born November 16, 1981) is an American football defensive end in the National Football League for the New York Giants.Umenyiora is one of three players to have won a Super Bowl ring, joining Scott McCready and Giants teammate Lawrence Tynes. Umenyiora has been selected for the Pro Bowl twice, and holds the Giants franchise record for most sacks in one game, coming against the Philadelphia Eagles in 2007.

Nnamdi Asomugha is an American Football cornerback for the National Football League’s Oakland Raiders. He was drafted in the first round of the 2003 NFL Draft by the Raiders and played college football for the Golden Bears at the University of California, Berkeley. He is currently considered to be one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL.

Amobi Okoye (born June 10, 1987) is an American football defensive tackle for the Houston Texans of the National Football League. Okoye was drafted by the Houston Texans in the first round of the 2007 NFL draft.He is the youngest player to ever be drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft at only 19 years old. He was the highest draft pick to come out of the University of Louisville since the AFL-NFL merger.

James Ihedigbo (born December 3, 1983) is an American football safety for the New York Jets of the National Football League. He was signed by the Jets in 2007. He played college football at Massachusetts. He is the son of Nigerian immigrants to the United States.

Oshiomogho Isaac “O. J.” Atogwe (born on June 23, 1981) is an American football safety for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the St. Louis Rams in the third round of the 2005 NFL Draft. He played college football at Stanford.

Adewale Ogunleye (born August 9, 1977 in Brooklyn, New York) is an American football defensive end. He was signed by the Miami Dolphins in 2000. He played college football at Indiana.Ogunleyewas named the “NFL’s Defensive Player of the Day” for the 2008’s first day after recording one safety and made a key fourth down stop against the Indianapolis Colts.

Israel Idonije (born November 17, 1980) is a Nigerian-Canadian defensive end for the National Football League’s Chicago Bears. He was signed out of the University of Manitoba. A draft pick of the now defunct Ottawa Renegades of the Canadian Football League, for whom he never played, Idonije spent the start 2003 season on the Cleveland Browns’ practice squad prior to his release in September. He was subsequently signed to the Bears’ practice squad for the final six weeks of the season.

Brian Orakpo (born July 31, 1986) is an American football linebacker for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Redskins 13th overall in the 2009 NFL Draft. He played college football at Texas.

Ovie Phillip Mughelli( born June 10, 1980 in Boston, Mass.) is an American football fullback for the Atlanta Falcons of the NFL. He signed a 6-year, $18 million contract with a $5 million signing bonus on March 2, 2007 with the Falcons. The contract was the largest given to a fullback in NFL history at the time.

Busari “B.J.” Raji, Jr. (born July 11, 1986), nicknamed “The Freezer” is an American football nose tackle for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft (9th overall). He played college football at Boston College.

FranklinOkam, Jr. (born October 16, 1985 in Pine Bluff, Arkansas) is an American football defensive tackle who is currently a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was drafted by the Houston Texans in the fifth round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at Texas.

Christian Emeka Okoye (born August 16, 1961), is a former American Football running back for the Kansas City Chiefs from 1987 to 1992. Nicknamed “The Nigerian Nightmare,” Okoye was known for his powerful running style and ability to break tackles. Okoye’s six seasons in the NFL saw a league rushing title in 1989, two Pro Bowl appearances (1989, 1991), and three playoff appearances. He voluntarily ended his NFL career due to multiple injuries. He wore number 35.