Packers IPP player LB Kenneth Odumegwu given game ball after first football game ever

The Green Bay Packers honored linebacker Kenneth Odumegwu on Saturday by giving him the game ball to celebrate his first-ever NFL game. Odumegwu joined the Packers this season as part of the league’s international player pathway program.

Originally scouted to play baskeball, the Nigeria native wound up switching tracks to play football after meeting former NFL DE Osi Umenyiora.  He was the defensive MVP at the inaugural NFL Africa camp in Ghana last year. He started out his athletic career playing soccer as a defensive midfielder.

After the camp in Ghana, Odumegwu went to London for the NFL International Combine in October. From the combine, he was selected for the IPP Program and then went to the Packers.

Kenneth Odumegwu played in his first ever football game on Friday in Cincinnati. The Packers’ IPP player from Nigeria got a game ball from Matt LaFleur and Odumegwu said everybody was hyping him up in the locker room.

“I’m gonna keep the ball forever,” he said today. pic.twitter.com/njf1zqgcea

— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) August 13, 2023

In an interview with Packers analyst Larry McCarren, he laid out his main goal for this season.

”I hope by the end of this season people don’t see me as someone who just came into this game,” Odumegwu said.

The 22-year-old will have a chance to stay on the Packers’ roster at the end of training camp even if he doesn’t make the 53-man roster. Teams have the choice to add an extra practice squad spot for a player in the IPP program. However, if they utilize the exemption, the player cannot be signed to the active roster of any team during the season.

Odumegwu is one of eight first-year IPP program players on rosters this preseason. He is also one of the six hailing from Nigeria. The other two are from France and Italy. He’ll get his next opportunity to play on Saturday versus the New England Patriots.

Packers plan to showcase Jordan Love more in preseason

Quarterback Jordan Love made a brief appearance in the Packers exhibition win over the Bengals. And coach Matt LaFleur plans for his new starting quarterback to see even more live snaps this month.

LaFleur said Love played a “solid” game during his appearance at Paycor Stadium in downtown Cincinnati. The only negative was an interception.

“Obviously, he would love to have the one throw back to (tight end Luke) Musgrave over the middle in that third down,” the Packers coach said. “But, I think, there’s a lot to learn from and a lot of good came out of it. I thought, just the poise he showed, the command he showed. I thought we were getting in and out of the huddle quickly. (And) I thought it was a really good first exposure for him for this season.” 

Love completed seven of his 10 passes for 46 yards. And his final completion of the evening was a touchdown pass to Romeo Doubs.

On3’s Suzanne Halliburton contributed to this report.