Beyond Muscles & Brawn – Nigerian NFL Players Give Back
Posted on Friday, April 24th, 2009 at 10:10 PMBy Louisa Olubukola Kinoshi
It’s impressive when our young people abroad decide to go back to Nigeria and give their time to create change, implement a groundbreaking community service initiative and not just to make money. I have been extremely proud of the high numbers of Nigerians abroad who have decided to enroll in NYSC this year even though this could have been spurred by the recession.
Last month, the Athletes in the Diaspora: Community Interventions (ADCI) had 5 U.S based athletes of Nigerian descents on an 8-day community outreach trip which included an American football camp and a soccer program for about 200 kids. The athletes were joined by Nigerian entertainment superstars including Sauce Kid and Ikechukwu. The athletes gave out over $20,000 in scholarships and were presented with an award by Atlantic Hall as part of the school’s 20th anniversary. A-Hall alum, Naeto C was also recognized. Invictus 91, the group who founded ADCI is considering launching an Academy of Learning and Sports.
About the Athletes
Ositadinma “Osi” Umeniyora was born in Golders Green, London before his family moved to Nigeria. The New York Giant played football in high school in Auburn, Alabama. Osi is curently dating Victoria Secret model, Selita Ebanks.
Amobi Okoye was the youngest player in the NCAA when at age 15 he chose the University of Louisville over Harvard. Okoye currently plays for the Houston Texans.
Nnamdi Asomugha is a cornerback for the Oakland Raiders. Named the team’s Most Valuable Player in 2006, Nnamdi is the highest paid defensive back in NFL history.
Chinedum “Nedu” Ndukwe grew up in Dublin, Ohio before he left to play for the University of Notre Dame. Currently a safety for the Cincinnati Bengals, his older brother also plays for the Miami Dolphins.
Xavier Oyekola Adibi is a linebacker for the Houston Texans. Also from a family of athletes, Xavier’s dad Abiodun Adibi was a college soccer player at Oklahoma State.
Tommie Harris was born in Texas and played college football at Oklahoma, Tommie now plays for the Chicago Bears as one of the richest defensive tackles in the NFL.
Kasia Muoto was a former Nigerian female soccer player who currently runs a nonprofit that uses sports to reach underprivileged communities with the goal of inspiring faith and hope (www.weplaytowin.org)
Note: This article was updated on April 26, 2009.
Tags: Add new tag, Amobi Okoye, Chinedum Ndukwe, Kasia Muoto, Louisa Kinoshi, Nnamdi Asomugha, Osi Umeniyora, Tommie Harris, Xavier Oyekola Adibi
Clarification: The athletes were not presented with an award; Osi Umenyora was presented with an award for his achievements because he is an alumnus of the school.
hot sturvs!!!….do not mind having one for myself i’ll manage the defensive back guy, since Ositadinma is taken
Give them to me!!! anyday!!! Love the way the guys look, happy my husband is hot or else I would have hunted these guys down
I’m glad they’re doing something positive for their country and that they’ve not decided to turn their backs or shun where they’re from.
BTW, i thought Osi & Selita Banks don split up. I’m so sure of that since last year IMO.
Nnamdi Asomugha is a very fine looking somebody.
how hot are these brothers!! yaaaa! i need one like right now!
Selita Ebanks was engaged to Nick Cannon before he married Mariah that breakup was the last breakup of her that I noted.
Maybe your right though.
HOT HOT HOT!!!….The girl in the Louboutins should take a look at dem ibo boys….
CHINNEEEKKEKe!!! lmaoo dem boys are hooot hot hot!!!!…i love the shapley figures of football players!! lmaoo time to marry one!! lol, but on a serious note, I’m really glad that they came back and did such work, I’m proud of them and there accomplishments. Keep up the good work!
i have to agree with you alllllll the way!! lmao!!
Wow, some of these guys are children o! As in 21 and 22 yrs old! Good job, boys~!
Dem kids make me proud to be Nigerian jare! Igbo boys sabi fine sha!!! Ive listened to interviews with most of them and they are intelligent, humble and articulate….. 9ja get serious talent o.
that osi guy is hot sha!
http://ko-easy.blogspot.com/
HOT HOT AND HOT WHAT MORE CAN I SAY
chei! see fine naija boys doing it big…. i fit change my marry after grad skool plan 4 them.
this is the kind of place you are suppose to find Okocha, but no he his running around harrasing old legends over a cell phone. nonsense and ingridients
So all these athletes with their multimillion dollar deals could afford to give back was 20,000 dollars together…Damn Shame!
meanwhile…local celebrities in nigeria are doing what? oh thats right. giving back by creating reality shows where women will fight over them
What of the ones that are not giving anything at all?
nigeria you must be careful with ur money…but $20,000=N2.8M thats pure water money
You read ma mind…lol
I am proud to be a Nigerian……
REALLY?????
Oh Shut up! and you’ve given back what?
IN AS MUCH AS I LOVE WHAT THIS GUYS ARE DOING DO YOU HAVE TO TELL US WHO THEY ARE DATING TO PROOF WHAT! RATHER LOOK AT THEM GIVING BACK TO THE COMMNUNITY.
alot actually!!! between 5 mutimillion dollar guys people give alot more than that and dont make so much noise…its just very american or newage you give a penny and make noise about it.
There’s nothing wrong in her saying who he’s dating. C’mon now, i know for a fact that all of them put together can give more than $20,000. I will give them benefit of a doubt, maybe they did not want to give a lot, because it’s hard to know if the money is really going to the children or something else. Osi, is one sexy fella, wale is handsome too.
Xavier and Nnamdi look soooo delicious!
look gir pls as i said we do not give a damn about the people this fellas are going ou with cici, should that be our concern we just want to know how they are impacting others through their famous status.
so true they should be ashamed they aint even givin back to thier community people from other countries have to come here and help…..what a shame
I feel good and happy that Nigerians are showing their stuff in the US. We are not all crooks. We are big strong handsome beautiful rich and love ourselves.
Thanks guys for finding the time to give back to fellow Nigerians. The amount you donated is not the issue. The time you spent here and the impact your visit will have on the young people you met is worth much more than money can buy.
Please, do visit again, soon.