On April 8, the Giants signed offensive tackle Roy Mbaeteka, one of their most intriguing and unforeseen prospects of this, or any, offseason. Now they are documenting his every move for the world to see.
In collaboration with the NFL, "Roy Mbaeteka: Journey to the NFL" is a three-part docuseries, premiering on the Giants YouTube channel, that follows Mbaeteka as he takes his next step 5,000 miles from his Nigerian home, where he was discovered by Giants legend Osi Umenyiora.
Mbaeteka was first spotted by Umenyiora at a camp in Nigeria in May 2021. With no high school or college football experience, the 6-9, 320-pound offensive tackle was one of three players selected to participate in the NFL International Combine in London in October. Three months later, the league announced that he was one of 13 players selected to compete for a spot in the 2022 International Player Pathway program. The NFL then held a showcase for the international players in Arizona, and the Giants were so impressed with Mbaeteka that the team flew him to New Jersey and signed him.
"This is a human-interest story as much as it is a football story," Chief Commercial Officer Pete Guelli said. "It provided an incredible opportunity to use our content platforms and really dive into Roy's incredible journey to get to the NFL and his path moving forward."
"The NFL features some of the best athletes in the world, regardless of their place of birth," said Damani Leech, COO of International for the NFL. "Roy is another great example of international players making an impact on this great game – showing others the pathway to the NFL and growing fandom around the world."
Episode 1, which is now available across all platforms, begins with how Mbaeteka not only discovered his love for the game in Nigeria but also caught the attention of the New York Football Giants. In this episode, you will follow Roy on his journey from his home in Nigeria to Giants training camp.
In Episode 2, viewers pick up with Mbaeteka as he gets his name and number and takes the field throughout training camp and the preseason.
Episode 3 will center on the road ahead for Mbaeteka and adjusting to his new life in New York. Episodes 2 and 3 will be released throughout the summer leading up to the regular season.
View photos of offensive tackle Roy Mbaeteka, who was discovered by Giants legend Osi Umenyiora.
Osi Umenyiora talks with New York Giants offensive tackle Roy Mbaeteka (61) during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Thursday August 18, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
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New York Giants offensive tackle Roy Mbaeteka (61) runs onto the field with teammates prior to a preseason NFL football game between New York Giants and the New England Patriots, Thursday, Aug. 11, 2022, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
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New York Giants offensive tackle Roy Mbaeteka (61) during training camp Fan Fest practice at MetLife Stadium on Friday August 5, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
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OL Roy Mbaeteka (61), Lani Lawrence Director of Wellness and Clinical Services, Player Engagement
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OL Roy Mbaeteka (61), Lani Lawrence Director of Wellness and Clinical Services, Player Engagement
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Roy Mbaeteka (61) during minicamp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Tuesday April 21, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
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Osi Umenyiora talks with New York Giants offensive tackle Roy Mbaeteka (61) during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Thursday August 18, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
Osi Umenyiora talks with New York Giants offensive tackle Roy Mbaeteka (61) during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Thursday August 18, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
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Josh Rivas (67), Roy Mbaeteka (61)
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Osi Umenyiora talks with New York Giants offensive tackle Roy Mbaeteka (61) during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Thursday August 18, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
Osi Umenyiora talks with New York Giants offensive tackle Roy Mbaeteka (61) during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Thursday August 18, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
Osi Umenyiora talks with New York Giants offensive tackle Roy Mbaeteka (61) during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Thursday August 18, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
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New York Giants offensive tackle Roy Mbaeteka (61) during a pre-season football game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday August 21, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
New York Giants offensive tackle Roy Mbaeteka (61) during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Tuesday August 16, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants offensive tackle Roy Mbaeteka (61) during a pre-season football game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday August 21, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
New York Giants offensive tackle Roy Mbaeteka (61) blocks linebacker Quincy Roche (95) during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Sunday August 14, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
Osi Umenyiora talks with New York Giants offensive tackle Roy Mbaeteka (61) during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Thursday August 18, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants offensive tackle Roy Mbaeteka (61) answers questions from media at the NFL football New York Giants rookie minicamp in East Rutherford, N.J., Friday, May 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
New York Giants offensive tackle Roy Mbaeteka (61) warms up during an NFL preseason football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022 in East Rutherford, N.J. The Giants won 25-22. (AP Photo/Vera Nieuwenhuis)
New York Giants offensive tackle Roy Mbaeteka (61) blocks during an NFL preseason football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Giants defeated the Bengals, 25-22. (Ryan Kang via AP)
New York Giants offensive tackle Roy Mbaeteka warms up before a preseason NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
New York Giants offensive tackle Roy Mbaeteka (61) on the sideline during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Thursday, Aug. 11, 2022, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Greg M. Cooper)
New York Giants offensive tackle Roy Mbaeteka (61) during an NFL preseason football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022 in East Rutherford, N.J. The Giants won 25-22. (AP Photo/Vera Nieuwenhuis)
New York Giants offensive tackle Roy Mbaeteka (61) warms up before a preseason NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
New York Giants offensive tackle Roy Mbaeteka (61) warms up before a preseason NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
New York Giants offensive tackle Roy Mbaeteka (61) on the sidelines during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Thursday, Aug. 11, 2022, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New York Giants offensive tackle Roy Mbaeteka (61) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
New York Giants offensive tackle Roy Mbaeteka (61) on the sideline during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Thursday, Aug. 11, 2022, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Greg M. Cooper)
Up Rise Academy offensive lineman Chigbo Roy Mbaeteka, of Nigeria, participates in a drill at the NFL international scouting combine at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
Up Rise Academy's offensive linemen Haggai Chison Noubuis, left, and Mbaeteka Chigbo Roy, both from Nigeria, pose for photographs after taking part in the NFL International Combine at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021. International athletes on Tuesday took part in a series of tests in front of NFL evaluators for a potential position in the NFL's International Player Pathway programme. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
Up Rise Academy offensive lineman Chigbo Roy Mbaeteka, of Nigeria, runs in a drill during the NFL international scouting combine, Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021, in London. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New York Giants offensive tackle Roy Mbaeteka (61) answers questions from media at the NFL football New York Giants rookie minicamp in East Rutherford, N.J., Friday, May 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
Up Rise Academy offensive lineman Chigbo Roy Mbaeteka, of Nigeria, participates in a drill at the NFL international scouting combine at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
Up Rise Academy offensive lineman Chigbo Roy Mbaeteka, of Nigeria, participates in a drill at the NFL international scouting combine at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
Up Rise Academy's offensive linemen Haggai Chison Noubuis, left, and Mbaeteka Chigbo Roy, both from Nigeria, give media interviews after taking part in the NFL International Combine at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021. International athletes on Tuesday took part in a series of tests in front of NFL evaluators for a potential position in the NFL's International Player Pathway programme. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
