Osi Umenyiora’s: American Football to Africa

7/31/22

The image of “Football” is different in the US than around the rest of the world. American football’s lifestyle, ideologies, facilities, experts and all other aspects of the game are all concentrated in only its heartland. However, Osi Umenyiora aims to aid those internationally to be given both the opportunity to explore the possibilities of the “niche” sport.

Umonyiora started his football career later than most. He began playing at the age of 15 after moving from Nigeria to the United States. He himself has had a career with many accolades, as a 2 time super bowl champion.

His ambitions however life in his wish to facilitate the transition of football spreading to the world. Over 100 current NFl players are of direct African decent. He also described how whenever he went home, through his seasoned and experienced scouting lens, he and other scouts are able to distinguish small details that separate prospect talent.

Umenyiora partnered with former NBA player Ejike Ugboaja, a fellow Nigerian to create the organization “Uprise”. Uprise serves to act as a platform to scout and find NFL talent in Africa. Last year the program successfully found 3 prospects who were signed to NFL rosters. “NFL Africa” an official offshoot of the NFL sent professional scouts to handpick players from the NFL’s International Player Pathway program. This rare and specialized opportunity grants those from around the world to potentially make millions in the NFL. Uprise, however, specifically covers African prospects.

Umenyiora is focusing on expansion of the game, however, also explained his concentrated on providing the Nigerian and International youth with an opportunity to become wildly successful and change their lives. He explained his rational behind his actions; “I was able to put two and two together because as I was noticing all these African players in the NFL, and then I would come back home to Nigeria and I [see] these big, strong, fast physical people – all they’re looking for is an opportunity.” He also explained his unique approach to philanthropy, he remarked, “rather than just doing all the regular stuff that we do in terms of charity, why not give people the opportunity to help themselves?” Umenyiora also explained his rationale for such a program. He emphasized that Football specifically is a sport that can have a further reach than others due to its large roster sizes and high demand.  

Umenyiora’s unique approach in allowing African prospects to go through the pathway and achieve NFL status by themselves not only is unique but provides a higher potential payout and more long-term success to those who make it. Some charities act as situational fixes, fixing problems as they arise, however require constant reigniting by a steady flow of donations. Instead, by providing the programs and track to the NFL, African players are able to carve out their fortunes and opportunities themselves. Lucrative contracts can positively affect families, communities and the individual. The Uprise program also provides an opportunity that would otherwise be impossible. Umenyiora elaborated that the program, “allows people from all over the world – who don’t have the opportunities to go to college [and play football] in America – to get looked at.” taking the game and its potential outside of a strictly situational and American discipline.

The international spread of football also expands the lessons, mentalities, disciplines, physical benefits, and passions of the sport. Its impacts in the US are well-established as changing American lives. Expanding this gift and opportunity is the next logical step that Umenyiora is helping to pave.

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Works Cited

Akintobi, Lamide. "Former Super Bowl champion Osi Umenyiora is creating a new path for African talent to make it to the NFL." CNN, 12 July 2022, www.cnn.com/2022/07/12/sport/osi-umenyiora-nfl-africa-uprise-spc-spt/index.html.

Prewitt, Alex. "How Osi Umenyiora Is Finding NFL Players in Africa." Si, 22 July 2022, www.si.com/nfl/2022/06/22/osi-umenyiora-interview-finding-nfl-players-in-africa.