Prince Tega Wanogho had some clear objectives when he arrived in the United States from Nigeria: “play in the NBA” and “become the next LeBron James”.<\/strong><\/p>\n And the 25-year-old offensive tackle is still trying to get his head around it all.<\/span><\/p>\n “I started playing football just to stay in shape,” he tells BBC Sport Africa.<\/span><\/p>\n “A lot of people have played for 10, 15 years and not been able to get to that stage – because that’s the biggest stage in (American) football.<\/span><\/p>\n “That’s something I get to brag about someday and tell people: ‘yeah, I did that’.<\/span><\/p>\n “It still feels like a dream to this day. There’s a lot of emotions just rolling.”<\/span><\/p>\n Born in Delta State, Wanogho’s journey began in 2014 when the organiser of a basketball camp in Nigeria linked him up with a coach in the United States.<\/span><\/p>\n That coach was Todd Taylor, a father figure who would later become Wanogho’s host when the young Nigerian was awarded a scholarship to play basketball at Edgewood Academy, a private school in Montgomery, Alabama.<\/span><\/p>\n “I’m just a kid from Africa with a big dream. I grew up in a house where our next meal wasn’t planned. <\/span><\/p>\n “If you actually ever get a chance to leave the country to come to the United States, that’s a big deal.”<\/span><\/p>\n But Wanogho’s NBA dream was quite literally shattered by a broken leg during his first season playing for Edgewood Academy.<\/span><\/p>\n “The goal was to play in the NBA and possibly become the next LeBron James but I guess God actually had a different plan,” he reflects.<\/span><\/p>\n Luckily, Edgewood also had a back-up plan. Having arrived in the USA just in time for the start of the gridiron season, Wanogho continued his scholarship in a different sport, one that put less pressure on his injured leg. <\/span><\/p>\n ”When I came to the United States, I didn’t know what American football was,” he admits, before going on to explain how the chance of a free education also acted as inspiration.<\/span><\/p>\n “I got a scholarship, played a year of high school football, so it was an easy decision, ‘OK, I’m gonna go to school, I’m gonna go to college’. <\/span><\/p>\n “I went to college and just stuck with it.”<\/span><\/p>\n Auburn University, also in Alabama, is where Wanogho’s career really started to take off.<\/span><\/p>\n After five years of studying and playing college football, he made it into the 2020 NFL draft, selected by the Philadelphia Eagles as the 210th overall pick.<\/span><\/p>\n “Playing in the NFL is a dream come true for me. Not everybody gets to make it,” he says.<\/span><\/p>\n Ironically, after just one year, the Eagles allowed their new talent to join the team who would go on to beat them in Super Bowl 57.<\/span><\/p>\n “I’m blessed to be in the NFL and playing today, so it means a lot.”<\/span><\/p>\n “I never thought I was going to be at the Chiefs, then actually going on to play in the Super Bowl, but you just trust the process.”<\/span><\/p>\n Having claimed two Super Bowls in four years (2020 and 2023), the Chiefs are now looking to build a dynasty around quarterback Mahomes and head coach Andy Reid.<\/span><\/p>\n Wanogho is desperate to be part of it.<\/span><\/p>\n ”My goal is getting another championship ring because I’m never going to be satisfied with just where I’m at,” he says.<\/span><\/p>\n “I’m always trying to keep moving and enjoying the process. I should just keep stacking up my goals. <\/span><\/p>\nFrom Delta State to Alabama<\/h3>\n
![\"Prince](\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/onesport\/cps\/624\/cpsprodpb\/14B6D\/production\/_129254848_wanoghopix2a.png\")
<\/span><\/span>‘All my fingers filled with rings’<\/h3>\n