13. Growing the NFL in Africa | Osi Umenyiora in the valley

Aug 14, 2023

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Welcome to Silverbacks Valley, a podcast changing the narrative around Africa through the bridging of the worlds of #venturecapital, #tech, #sports, #media and #lifestyle.

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Disclaimer : This episode is for informational and entertainment purposes only, no content of the conversation should be considered as investment advice.

This episode is powered by Afroballers and the Global Sports Summit.

In this episode, Ibrahim Sagna welcomes Osi Umenyiora, a 2 time Super Bowl Champion and former defensive end for the New York Giants, founder of The Uprise Academy and Commissioner of the Uprise Flag Football League in Nigeria.

5 BIG IDEAS DISCUSSED WITH OSI UMENYIORA IN THE VALLEY

1. "I started playing football as a teenager because I wanted to make friends. I got good at it and then I got lucky"

Osi Umenyiora believes that part of his success can be attributed to luck : he found himself at the right place at the right time in several instances at the beginning of his career. When opportunities came knocking, he rose to the challenge : he did so when the New York Giants drafted in in the second round of the 2003 draft and throughout his career as an NFL Pro which led him to a two-time SuperBowl champion and a First Team All-Pro. Today he is doing by developing pathways to college football scholarships and to the NFL for young African athletes.

2. "We're going to take kids from Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal and bring them to the NFL."

Osi's vision to develop the game internationally is deeply rooted in his multicultural background. He was born in London, moved to Nigeria as a kid then later found himself in the United States in high school. As a Pro, he witnessed the international potential of the NFL when he played with the Giants in the London game in 2007. Seven years later as he retired, he joined the league and began bringing his insights on ways to develop the game in Africa.

3. "We're creating an opportunity for NFL Africa players to own teams in Africa."

In our conversation, Osi observed how the African players in the NFL still lack the local notoriety that could help grow the game across the continent. The Uprise Flag Football league which was launched earlier this year seeks to remedy this. Each of the four teams from the league are owned by current NFL football players, including three players of African descent (Cleveland Browns' David Njoku, Detroit Lions' Romeo Okwara, Miami Dolphins' Emmanuel Ogbah). The Uprise is the NFL Flag's first league in Africa.

4. "Shout out to the NBA"

Osi recognizes the impact and the influence that the NBA has had in Africa. He shares the inspiration that came with observing African sports leaders like Amadou Gallo Fall and Masai Ujiri and the work they have done to grow the game of basketball across the continent. He believes that there are tremendous synergies to be built between the NBA and the NFL activities at the grassroots level and beyond.

5. "I don't see a scenario where the NFL isn't number 2 in Africa"

In his parting words, Osi presents his ambition for growing American football in Africa. He believes that the league's current momentum through its official events in Ghana, Kenya and soon South Africa will help develop its fanbase. He shares how he intends to forge his own blueprint to grow the amount of African players in team rosters and hopes to see an NFL regular season game played in Africa within the next decade.