International Pathway Profile Interview: Paschal Ekeji Jr, DE/OLB, Nigeria

• Name: Paschal Ekeji Jr
• Position: DE/OLB
• Born: Lesotho, lived in South Africa since age of 3
• Height: 6’4
• Weight: 233 lbs.
• Twitter: @_ekeji
• Instagram: @_ekeji

When did you start playing American Football?

I started playing American football 10 weeks ago at the NFL IPP camp at IMG in Florida.

If you could donate to one cause in the world, what would it be?

I would donate to orphan children foundations. I grew up in a small town in South Africa and there was an orphanage down the street from where I stayed, growing up my siblings and I would play with those kids in the street so orphan kids have a deep place in my heart. 

Who was your role model?

I had many different athletes I looked up to growing up, from Bryan Habana to Reiko Ioane but someone I look up to and learn a lot from is my Mother. She is an extremely hard worker, is very determined and is a devout christian, her faith inspires me.

Do you have a favorite NFL team?

I do not have a favourite NFL team, I always would support players and follow them whenever they switched teams.

What is your biggest pet peeve? 

I do not think I have any pet peeves, at least none that I can think of, I am not a fussy person.

Who is your favorite teacher ever?

I actually have two. My high school English teacher, Miss Chere Jordaan. She poured a lot into me and treated me like a son when I was far from home which was comforting. My College Thesis supervisor Mrs Lulama Traub has a special place in my heart too. She believed in me and my potential both academically and on the sports field. Throughout my thesis, she mentored and guided me closely ultimately leading to me graduating with flying colors.

Overcoming adversity is what defines character, what was the hardest moment in your life to overcome? 

I think coming from the small town I grew up in, having the dream of playing high level rugby is something that has really molded me. Being in a town like that, there were not many people to look up to, most people did not have hope and so often people talked my dreams down, telling me I would not amount to anything or that I should give up. This along with the natural failures along the way to success (not making teams, getting hurt, coaches not giving you game time, family members getting sick) gave me the opportunity to develop resilience and work ethic. So I would say my whole life really.

If you could have any franchise restaurant in your house what would it be?

Probably a good Jollof rice spot.

What is your favorite snack food? 

My favourite snack food would be JOLLOF RICE!

What would it be like to make an NFL roster?

It would be a dream come true for me and a lot of people. There is an Igbo saying that translates: A child belongs to his village because it takes a village to raise a child. So many people have raised me, so many people have invested into my success and so many people are looking to me for inspiration. Making an NFL roster would be the biggest tribute to those people, the ultimate “thank you” to everyone that has blessed my path. So making an NFL roster is extremely special to me because I want to make the people standing behind me proud.

What would it mean to you to represent your country in the NFL?

It would mean everything, I have been influenced by so many different cultures and people and would not be the individual I am today without those influences so these countries on my helmet mean something to me. So many people from small countries can see my story and be inspired to do even greater things because they have seen that it is possible. So kids like I was can have people to look up to.

If you could have dinner with three people dead or alive, who would it be and why? 

I would have dinner with Jesus and His disciples, I do not think it gets better than that.