We see Africans in every professional field in the United States. They are big in medicine, especially. But quietly, they are also increasing their presence in football, America’s favorite sport. Last year, we counted just over 50 on the 32 regular teams in the National Football League (NFL). But half way into the season this year, the number is about 65 active players. That is an increase of over one third.
These are the players who have African heritage, regardless of where they are born. We count them even when they do not acknowledge their African background.
Nigeria continues to have the greatest representation from Africa with at least 55 active players. About four players have Ghanaian heritage. Other countries represented in the league include Ivory Coast, Liberia and Congo
This number includes only the active players. Another 60 are nursing injuries or on practice squads. Any one of those could be called up to replace a regular player who gets injured or is underperforming. But this count of African players can change even during a season because of the way NFL teams replace any of the 53 players they are allowed to have on a regular team.
And the players move from team to team, usually in the offseason but sometimes via a trade during the season.
To name a few players who moved, Foye Oluokun, a standout defensive player with the Atlanta Falcons is now with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Others who changed teams in the past two years include Chuma Edoga of the Dallas Cowboys, Hakeem Adeniji of the Minnesota Vikings and Edwin Igwebuike of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Universities (colleges) are the pipeline for most NFL players teams to the NFL. The teams acquire the fresh players or rookies mainly through a draft of former college players. They then look for players who fell through the drafted, literally off the street. This year, at least six active players and twice as many on injury reserve or practice squads are fresh out of university.
The NFL is no longer depending only on its traditional source, colleges. Teams now recruit from foreign countries. About three players on practice squads came via a training program in Europe or NFL camps in Africa. Former soccer players are showing up as kickers in the league.
Regardless of how they got to the league, the longevity of any player in the NFL is anybody’s guess.
