Giants sign Nigerian player
The NFL’s New York Giants signed Nigerian Roy Mbaeteka, a 22-year-old with no previous soccer experience, on Friday on the recommendation of former star two-time Super Bowl champion Osi Umenyiora.
Head coach Brian Daboll’s staff was surprised to give the nod to this unexpected prospect.
Roy Mbaeteka is a 6-foot-2, 145-pound offensive lineman with no high school or college soccer experience.
After spending practically his entire life in Nigeria, the lineman was part of the International Player Pathway program, which scouts NFL talent around the world. That’s where he was spotted by two-time Pro Bowl player Osi Umenyiora, an Englishman of Nigerian descent.
Umenyiora, who lived in Nigeria as a child, came to the United States at the age of 14 to live with his sister, where he studied and graduated from Troy University, and in the nine years he was with the Giants, he won Super Bowls XLII and XLVI.
The former defensive end predicted that Roy Mbaeteka has what it takes to succeed with the New York Giants.
“Once you see him you know he’s physically imposing and in a year or two, if you immerse him in the culture of American soccer, he’s going to be fantastic. The Giants have taken the risk and I think when they see him working, they’ll know what he’s all about,” Umenyiora explained.
Osi Umenyiora was one of the founders of the NFL Africa’s International Player Pathway program, where he said prospects are being lost due to lack of opportunity. Since last year the former player has been organizing NFL camps in various countries.
“That’s why I decided to start the program to help get these guys opportunities. We’ve had camps in South Africa, Ghana, Senegal, Nigeria. I have people in these places and they are looking for the best athletes we can find.”
Mbaeteka was first spotted at a camp in Nigeria in May 2021. He was one of three players selected to train at the NFL Academy in London in October and now has a long road to play for the Giants.
In other relevant free agency moves Friday the Cleveland Browns signed Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Joshua Dobbs.
In Miami, the Dolphins tied up clearing kicker Thomas Morstead, who in 2021 played for the New Orleans Saints.
Mike Ford left the Denver Broncos to become the new cornerback of the Atlanta Falcons.
The Chicago Bears reinforced their offense with the arrival of tight end Ryan Griffin, who was released by the New York Jets this week.
