In May, the NFL announced five international games to be played in 2022; three in London, one in Germany and one in Mexico. Now, the league is heading to Africa. From June 21-26, the NFL is launching "NFL Africa: The Touchdown" in Ghana.
More than a handful of the league's premier players of African descent will participate, including Seattle Seahawks outside linebacker Uchenna Nwosu.
The Nigerian USC edge rusher by way of Southern California started out as an International Relations major. Nwosu now prepares to head to Ghana following mandatory minicamp. Nwosu will join a team of current and legendary African NFL players as they help embark across Accra, the Capital of Ghana and the Cape Coast. NFL Network will broadcast the week filled with events for both potential prospects and fans of all ages.
The NFL Africa Camp for prospects is spearheaded by two-time Super Bowl Champion Osi Umenyiora, a fellow Nigerian. Umenyiora created The Uprise Camp, a showcase that took place across Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa throughout the winter. Players selected from the camps will participate in Accra for the world to see via NFL Network. Nwosu spoke about the opportunity prior to Tuesday's minicamp practice.
"I'm looking forward to it," said Nwosu "Being able to grow my brand, show who I am, help bring more recognition to African players. Any way I can be able to go back to do anything to help this grow."
The Carson native grew up with another Nigerian NFL star right in his backyard. Not one he decided to model his game on the field after - but his demeanor off of it.
"Growing up I had a family friend, Nnamdi Asomugha, we went to the same high school,” said Nwosu "I didn't model my game after him but character-wise and everything I just tried to follow his footsteps."
The former Los Angeles Charger has been spotlighted for his charitable efforts since coming into the league in 2018. In 2019, Nwosu partnered with the Children’s Diabetes Foundation.
"My mom, Amarachi, is affected by diabetes," Nwosu explained. He says that when his mom told him the news last year, he wasn't sure how to handle it. "I was very sad and confused and didn't know too much about [the disease]. I didn't know if she was going to be okay or what was wrong."
Nwosu helped the initiative through several charitable efforts off the field, and wearing customized cleats for the Chargers My Cause My Cleats initiative.
In 2021, Nwosu was highlighted for giving back to his native Carson community.
The Seattle Seahawks acquired Nwosu in March, looking to bolster the pass rush.
Now Nwosu gets to represent his new team and his country at the same time.
Read more about the NFL's push to create new relationships and expand on the 100-plus players of African-descent currently in the league here.
