September 20th 2023.
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, known as J.O.K. to football fans, recently celebrated his African roots in a big way. Before the Cleveland Browns season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals on September 10, he arrived in a traditional kente cloth outfit.
The 23-year-old NFL player has always kept his heritage front and center. He is currently a part of the league’s NFL Africa initiative, which is designed to attract more talent from the continent.
Not only did he arrive in style, but he also took the opportunity to perform a snippet of the traditional Adowa dance. This dance originates from the Akan ethnic group in Ghana’s Ashanti region. The Adowa dance is interpreted as an expression of connection to Ghanaian culture. It is usually performed by exaggerated motions with the arms and feet, and is accompanied by a band.
In addition, Owusu-Koramoah also participated in a camp in Accra, Ghana, which was focused on introducing American football to kids. This camp was organized by the NFL with other current and former players from African nations.
The COO of the NFL’s International Events, Damani Leech, spoke with the Associated Press about the camp. He said, “We look forward to hosting our first camp in Ghana and will look to activate in Nigeria and other African countries in the future. We want to provide an opportunity for the next generation of African prospects to showcase their talent. As we continue to look for ways to strengthen the pipeline of international players in the NFL, we hope this camp, and future camps, provide a path forward for aspiring players from across the continent.”
When asked about his involvement with the camp, Owusu-Koramoah told Anthony Poisai, “NFL Africa is a great extension of the NFL. To have them keep an eye on me when I first came in the league — I dealt a lot with African consciousness — and to be able to understand that these are our roots is very important.”
Now in his third season, the Virginia native is eager to have a breakout season with the Browns. With his dedication to his heritage and his involvement in the NFL Africa initiative, it is clear that Owusu-Koramoah is making a huge impact in the NFL and the world.
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