Many Nigerian Americans of Igbo heritage were drafted in American National Football League (NFL). If you consider the chances of making it into NFL with regards to the percentage of Nigerian Americans population in USA, then you will begin to reckon and recognize how much greatness these young men have accomplished. NFL is the richest and most image driven sports association in the world.
Germain Ifedi
Ifedi made the first round of the American National Football League (NFL) 2016. He was drafted by Seahawk Seattle. Ifedi was born in June 2, 1994 and attended Texas A&M University. with a major in construction management. In 2013 he earned Freshman All-American honors by The Sporting News and in 2015 he was also named second team All-SEC by league coaches for his dedicated work.
His parents Ben and Victoria Ifedi are immigrants from Umuoji, Anambra State Nigeria, residing in the southern state of Texas. Germain Ifedi put Umuoji his ancestral town in the world map by acknowledging it. As an Igbo-American he always identified with his ancestral town of Umuoji and always tell the whole America about Umuoji in Anambra State of Nigeria.
Robert Nkemdichie
The American NFL team Arizona Cardinals selected Robert Nkemdichie in the first round. Nkemdichie was born September 19, 1994 and attended University of Mississippi (Ole Miss).” Nkemdiche was born in Atlanta, Georgia to Nigerian immigrants Beverly and Sunday Nkemdiche. His father, a cardiologist, has reportedly applied for a researcher position at University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, Mississippi. Nkemdiche’s mother, a politician, returned to Nigeria in 2009 and as of September 2011 represents Onitsha South in the Anambra State House of Assembly. His older brother Denzel Nkemdichie plays linebacker for Ole Miss.”
Emmanuel Ogbah
Ogbah was drafted by Cleveland Browns of American NFL. Ogbah was born November 6, 1993 in Nigeria and moved to USA when he was nine years old. He attended Oklahoma State University. His parents Richard and Regina Ogbah live in Houston, Texas.
“Ogbah’s family moved from Nigeria to the Houston when he was nine years old, with the hopes of finding a better way of life. The child given the middle name Ikechukwu (which means “God’s power”) flourished athletically in his new country, eventually becoming a finalist for the greater Houston high school defensive player of the year. He chose Oklahoma State partially due to his appreciation of former OSU offensive tackle Russell Okung, a fellow native of Nigeria who had great success with the Cowboys and in the NFL. Ogbah (AWG-buh) played in every game as a redshirt freshman, tying for the team lead with four sacks. Once inserted into the starting lineup, Ogbah starred, winning the Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year with 17 tackles for loss including 11 sacks. He played well again as a junior (17.5 tackles for loss, conference-high 13 sacks), earning Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year this time around, as well as All-American honors from USA Today, the Walter Camp Foundation, and others. The Ted Hendricks Award finalist couldn’t break through against Ole Miss tackles Laremy Tunsil and Fahn Cooper in the team’s Sugar Bowl loss, but NFL scouts still see his potential as a top pass rusher at the next level.” (NFL.com)
David Onyemata
Five years ago, Igbo-Nigerian , David Onyemata had never seen an American football match or experience the feel of holding a football.
But last Saturday, the American NFL team “ New Orleans Saints traded up to get Onyemata in the fourth round, making him the first player from the University of Mantioba to be drafted in the NFL. Onyemata, an international student far away from his home of Nigeria, needed an activity. Football sounded fun. “All I did was go to school and go back home,” Onyemata said. “I had so much free time that I needed to do something. I ended up trying out for the team.”
What happened over the next five years is so remarkable Dobie got emotional when he spoke to reporters on Saturday. Onyemata transformed from a football neophyte to a sought after NFL defensive lineman prospect.” (http://www.nola.com/)
Prince Charles Iworah
Iworah was drafted by San Francisco 49ers. He schooled at Western Kentucky University where he played CB position.
“Iworah was a full-time starter for the Hilltoppers for two seasons, 2014-15. In 2015, he had four interceptions and earned honorable mention Conference USA honors. In high school at Father Ryan High in Nashville, Tenn., Iworah was an all-state performer as a running back during his senior season.”
Okwara, Romeo
Okwara is barely 20 years old but he has already graduated with a degree in accounting from Notre Dame University where he also played undergraduate football. He is an Igbo American, his parents Julius and Melda hailed from Isiekenesi, Imo State. In his own words:
“We’d go to Isiekenesi, which is my family’s tribal village, and visit relatives, but that was about it.”
“Finding Isiekenesi on a map is even more difficult than trying to pronounce it correctly. Like our country, Nigeria is divided into states. The village is in Anambra, a southern state roughly four times the size of St. Joseph County (IN.) with a population of 4.2 million people. Poverty and illiteracy are widespread.”
“I’m Igbo and there’s several other guys on the football team who are also Igbo, which is pretty cool. “
Others including Udochukwu Victor Ochi and Caleb Azubuike drafts are not yet finalized .