Philadelphia Eagles rookie Uar Bernard believes Nigeria is filled with athletes capable of reaching the NFL, and wants the league to do more to create pathways for these young players to be discovered and developed.
The defensive tackle, who became the first player drafted directly from the NFL's International Player Pathway program when he was picked earlier this year, said greater investment in coaching and grassroots development could unlock a vast pool of untapped talent, even potentially better than him.
"[The league should] create that football awareness in Nigeria, have coaches there, have academies there," Bernard said on the Eagles social media platforms.
"I believe that Nigeria have most of the talents in the world. If they have more opportunities they'll do better than me."
Bernard's own journey from Nigeria to the NFL is already proof of concept.
Born and raised in Nigeria, Bernard was initially identified through basketball before attending NFL development camps in Africa, including one in Nigeria organized by former NFL defensive end Osi Umenyiora.
He later earned a place in the International Player Pathway program and impressed scouts with extraordinary athletic testing numbers, including a 4.63-second 40-yard dash at more than 300 pounds before the Eagles selected him with the 251st overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
International Player Pathway athlete Uar Bernard celebrates after being chosen by the Philadelphia Eagles with the 251st overall pick in the green room during third day of the NFL football draft. Michael Owens/Getty Images Bernard is motivated by family and hopes of a better life for them, while being inspired by the words of his late father.
"I never give up on anything," Bernard said. "I grew up in the northeast of Nigeria, in a family of six. I lost my dad a couple of years ago. He was my best friend, but that was a painful part of my life.
"Before he died, he told me not to worry about anything. That if I put my trust in God, I will prevail through every situation. He was my inspiration."
Driven by those words, Bernard has also drawn motivation from his mother's belief in him: "My mom, she was our everything. She was like, okay, you gonna make it, I know who you are."