Emmanuel Oyebadejo | Jax State Football
Emmanuel Oyebadjo’s journey to college football is anything but ordinary. Raised in Manchester, England, his early passion was for Manchester United, not the NFL. He didn’t pick up a football until he was 19 — long after he had traded soccer for basketball and then enrolled in medical school at the University of Exeter. A chance encounter on the sideline of an American football game on campus changed everything. When the coach invited him to give the sport a try, Oyebadjo found a new calling that would eventually lead him to Jacksonville State. Now, the former med student is making his mark on the field, blending intellect, athleticism, and determination in a story as unconventional as it is inspiring.
Hometown/Current City: Manchester
Undergraduate Major: Pre-Health Biology
What inspired you to pursue a career in medicine ?
I had always loved biology and learning about the human body growing up. I was also attracted to medicine because it was a challenging and respected field.
How did the opportunity to join a college football program in the U.S. come about?
When I decided I wanted to take the next step and play in the US, I first reached out to my coaches for advice. They helped me put together my highlight tape and send it off to coaches in the US. Coach Rich Rodriguez (Head Coach) and Coach William Green (position coach) liked my film, and that kick-started the process of them getting me over here.
What have you enjoyed most about being part of a college football team?
Apart from being able to play football at a high level, the thing I enjoy the most is the camaraderie. D1 football has you in the facility 24/7, whether its 6 AM workouts, position meetings, practice or games themselves. So you really get to build relationships with your teammates since you’re seeing them all the time. They’re like your second family.
How do you balance academics, athletics, and long-term career goals now?
I try my best to make use of the resources available to me. We have a great academic support team at Jax State, and they’re always working to make sure we stay on top of our schoolwork. It’s also convenient that you gotta have good grades to stay eligible. So, in working to be able to play football, we are also working towards our degree.
What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned from taking such a unique path?
The biggest lesson I learned is that fear of failure or fear of things not working out can keep us from achieving big things. I always think about how I have life now, how content I am with it and how it would be if I decided to play it safe and not take any risks.
Do you plan to return to medicine after football, or has your career vision changed?
My goal is to play in the NFL, and I like my chances. If I do decide to pursue anything academically, I don’t think it will be medicine-related.
How do you think this experience — both in the classroom and on the field — will shape your future?
It’s already shaped by the future in many ways. I’ve gotten to meet people whom I’ll know for a lifetime. Being able to get a degree without being in any debt will make my life in the future easier. And then, if I do what I know I’m capable of with regards to football, I’ll be able to provide for my family.
What advice would you give to others who might be afraid to take an unconventional path to chase their goals?
An average path is gonna lead to an average way of life. And if that’s what you desire, then there’s nothing wrong with that. But if you’re trying to accomplish big things, then you have to take risks. You have to step out of your comfort zone and aggressively pursue the things you want. The fear of staying in the same place has to be greater than the fear of failure.