At least 12 schools in the Dallas area have at least one Nigerian football player, including Denton Guyer, where Xavier Ukponu is on the defensive line.
Denton Guyer defensive lineman Xavier Ukponu poses for a portrait Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, at the school’s fieldhouse in Denton.As Xavier Ukponu walked through his large home in Nigeria, he occasionally saw football on TV but paid little attention to it.Valerie Green, Xavier’s mother, was born to Nigerian parents in Michigan, where she met his father, Bruno, who grew up in Nigeria. The couple decided to move to the country, where they got married and started a family.
Bruno said he was shocked when Xavier’s college offers started rolling in, particularly because of the caliber of academic programs tied to the opportunities. He had always dreamed of Xavier attending a prestigious university. But he wasn’t surprised colleges wanted Xavier to play football, crediting his son’s work ethic.
Bruno said his family has grown fond of the Dallas area and they’ve been able to find a community through local supermarkets and restaurants that serve Nigerian cuisine. But having to drive to see friends is different from Nigeria, where he knew everyone on his street., the share of African-born residents in the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington area grew from 5.3% before 2000 to 9% in 2023. The total foreign-born population increased from 601,088 to 1,620,718 in that same period.
“Academics is 100% the most important thing,” Chineke said. “My mom really could care less if I make it to the league or not. She just cares if I make it out with a degree and get something out of it.” While on the field, Nwabouku proudly displays his Nigerian heritage with a flag decal on his Plano helmet. He also includes the flag in his social media bios. He reserves the deepest part of his roots, such as his accent, for family and trusted friends. But Nwabouku said his friends have been open to learning about his culture, and they help one another become better at football.
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