The National Football League (NFL) is American football’s elite-level competition. Youngsters from far and wide dream of pulling on one of the 32 NFL teams’ uniforms, stepping out onto the field in front of 70,000 or 80,000 adoring fans, and earning salaries most people can only dream of. Although American football is not a sport usually associated with Nigeria, a handful of Nigerians are plying their trade in the NFL; some earn astronomical sums.

There are currently 11 players of Nigerian descent on the active roster of NFL franchises. Some are only embarking on their American football journey this season, but the four players you are about to learn about are key players for their respective teams. Indeed, one of them has already captured the sport’s most sought-after prize, the coveted Super Bowl.

Nelson Agholor – Baltimore Ravens

Every Super Bowl betting guide has the Baltimore Ravens as one of the favorites to walk away with this season’s trophy. Nelson Agholor’s performances in a Baltimore Ravens uniform is one of the reasons why those Ravens are flying high.

Born in Lagos in May 1993, Agholor moved to the United States when he was five. By the time Agholor was attending the University of Southern California, scouts ranked him as the third-best wide receiver in his class.

The Philadelphia Eagles selected Agholor as the 20th overall pick during the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft; he signed a four-year rookie contract worth $9.4 million with a $5.1 million signing bonus. Agoholor spent five seasons with the Eagles, and was part of the team that won the franchise’s first Super Bowl in 2017

Agoholor moved to the Las Vegas Raiders but only spent one season there before signing a two-year, $26 million contract with the New England Patriots. His time in New England were not his best years, and he signed a one-year deal worth $3.25 million with the Baltimore Ravens in March 2024. To date, Agoholor has featured in 15 games for the Ravens, receiving 324 yards and scoring four touchdowns.

David Onyemata – Atlanta Falcons

David Onyemata was born in Lagos in November 1992 but moved to Winnipeg, United States, on his own in 2011 so he could attend the University of Manitoba. Onyemata had never seen American football before arriving in the United States but became hooked on the game at university, becoming a star player for the Manitoba Bisons.