The historic journey of the first NFL quarterback of direct African descent
In short: From a seventh-round draft pick to a Super Bowl champion, Chris Oladokun’s career is a masterclass in persistence. His path through various college programs and practice squads eventually led to a historic milestone on the NFL stage.
Born in Tampa, Florida, on September 3, 1997, Chris Oladokun’s football trajectory was defined by frequent transitions. After a prolific high school career at Braulio Alonso, where he threw for 3,746 yards and 35 touchdowns over two seasons, a coaching disagreement led him to transfer to Sickles High School. He eventually entered the collegiate ranks at the University of South Florida, later moving to Samford and finally South Dakota State as a graduate transfer.
His time at South Dakota State proved highly productive; he threw for 3,164 yards and 25 touchdowns, helping the Jackrabbits achieve an 11-4 record and an FCS semifinal appearance. By impressing professional scouts, he earned a seventh-round selection by the Pittsburgh Steelers, taken 241st overall during the 2022 NFL draft.
While his early NFL years were spent largely on practice squads, Oladokun became a part of championship history. He earned Super Bowl rings with the Kansas City Chiefs following their victories over the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LVII and the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII. During a season finale versus the Denver Broncos in 2024, he made history as the first quarterback of direct African descent to appear in an NFL game.
Oladokun's career has been marked by resilience through roster fluctuations. Following a period of injuries to Chiefs starters like Patrick Mahomes and Gardner Minshew, Oladokun saw significant action in late 2025, including his first career NFL start. In September 2026, he transitioned to the Canadian Football League, joining the BC Lions alongside his brother, Jordan Oladokun.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Chris Oladokun
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