National Football League:

Team: St. Louis Rams

Position: Free Safety

Recent Plays:

Sponsor, Academic Challenge Program

Sponsor, Free Youth Football Clinic

Sponsor, Diversity Awareness Partnership

Spokesman, "Fuel Up to Play 60"

Playing For:

I Am Foundation      Feed The Children

How He's in the Game

OJ Atogwe is not just a leader for the St. Louis Rams on the football field; he’s also one of the most consistent contributors to the Rams’ community outreach initiatives. In addition to his work as a mentor for St. Louis Public Schools, he regularly hosts free youth football clinics in which developing players hone their football and teamwork skills. During the holidays, OJ serves meals to impoverished families and delivers gift baskets to sick children in association with Basket of Hope. In 2008, he started the Oshiomogho Atogwe I Am Foundation. Through this foundation, he organizes the annual Academic Challenge Program in which St. Louis high school football programs compete to earn the highest GPA for the fall semester. The foundation awards a $5,000 prize to the winning school, which is matched by the NFL for a total grant of $10,000.

About OJ Atogwe

Oshiomogho Atogwe was drafted in the third round by the Rams in 2005. In 2007 he was named to USA Today’s annual “All Joe Team” which recognizes players who “do whatever necessary to help their team.” The following year, he received the Daniel F. Reeves Award, given by the Rams’ players and coaches, to the team’s MVP. The Rams’ organization chose to nominate him for the 2009 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year of Award. Moreover, Atogwe was nominated for a Jefferson Award in 2010.