American college football might as well have existed in another universe for University of Toledo senior linebacker Richard Olekanma.
Like many kids growing up in Lagos, Nigeria, Olekanma simply was worried about his next opportunity for ice cream, and his athletic aspirations were dominated by the Nigerian national pastime of soccer.
Richard’s mother, Vera, immigrated to the United States shortly after he was born when her visa was processed. Richard stayed in Nigeria with his father, Uche, until they were able to join Vera in the U.S. when Richard was 5 years old.
Lagos is the most populous city on the African continent and one of the fastest growing cities in the world.