Seattle Seahawks’ zone-blocking ace, Olusegun ‘Olu’ Oluwatimi made history for the second time in two years, as he played a key role in the team’s stunning victory over New England Patriots in the 2026 NFL Super Bowl.
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Sports247 reports that Oluwatimi, who was The Seahawks’ 2023 fifth-round pick, was on top of his game last Sunday, as his side beat The Patriots 29–13 to lift their second ever Lombardi Trophy.
It was a follow-up to Oluwatimji’s amazing breakthrough in 2024 when, as a sophomore centre, he made his first start of the season following Connor Williams’ unexpected decision to retire.
Oluwatimi was outstanding in the important Week 11 victory over San Francisco 49ers and the Nigerian-born lad was immediately rated as an intriguing piece of franchise history due to his impressive performance.
Heading into this last Sunday’s clash, Oluwatimi was dealing with back tightness, and The Seahawks’ head coach, Mike Macdonald admitted that the youngster fought hard to get into the game.
Born August 5, 1999, Oluwatimi played college football for Virginia Cavaliers and Michigan Wolverines, during which time he was an All-American, who won the Rimington Trophy and Outland Trophy as well as Joe Moore Award in 2022.
Oluwatimi attended DeMatha Catholic High School in Hyattsville, Maryland, USA, before enrolling at United States Air Force Academy in 2017 and was a member of the Air Force Falcons football team.
He was drafted by Seattle Seahawks in the fifth round, 154th overall, of the 2023 NFL draft, and began the 2025 season as a backup after losing the starting center competition to Jalen Sundell.
Oluwatimi then assumed starting center duties after Sundell was placed on injured reserve on November 15, 2025 and the Nigerian-born lad went on to get into the spotlight for the NFL Super Bowl last Sunday.
Sports247 gathered that another Nigerian-born player, Boye Mafe recorded five sacks and several tackles for loss, adding to his club record for consecutive games with a sack.
The Seahawks’ rookie safety, Nick Emmanwori, who was raised in a Nigerian-American home, impressed in his first season with 81 tackles, 11 pass breakups and one interception.
Similarly, wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who has Nigerian and Sierra Leonean roots, led the league in receiving yards and scored 10 touchdowns, earning Offensive Player of the Year honours.
Back-up quarterback, Jalen Milroe, who also has Nigerian heritage, added speed and rushing threat in special plays during the season, while The Patriots had offensive lineman, Michael Onwenu starting all 17 games in their offensive line.
