Azeez Ojulari is not the first descendant of an African royal family to wear New York Giants blue. Two former first round picks, Prince Amukamara and Matthias Kiwanuka, both had prominent roots.
Amukamara’s grandfather was the king of the Awo-Omamma in Nigeria’s Imo State and Kiwanuka’s grandfather was the prime minister of Uganda. Ojulari’s grandfather was the late Nigerian Prince Twins Seven-Seven, a traveling dancer and singer who later became a skilled painter.
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Prince Twins Seven-Seven’s grandfather was also the King of Ibadan.
Ojulari, who was born and raised in Georgia, had never been to Nigeria but wants to go there someday.
“I definitely want to go. It’s a must. It’s really big knowing what [my grandfather] meant to the country and everything he’s done. And he did it in a first-class manner,” Ojulari told the New York Post.
Ojulari recalled his relationship with his famous grandfather.
“I was running around the house one day and he told me to come here. And he told me I was going to be special one day. That he believes it, and he knows that it was going to happen,” Ojulari said. “I can’t let him down. I know he’s always looking down on me.
“We have a lot of family in Nigeria. They always call my dad and mom and let them know ‘We’re watching him. We’re following him. We see him on TV.'”
Growing up, Ojulari was teased a bit about his royally roots by his childhood friends.
“[My friends] are always like, ‘Prince Azeez. Prince Azeez is in the house!’ They’re always joking,” Ojulari said, admitting he “pretty laid back” with the situation.
As a Giant, Ojulari is seen as royalty, too. The team is glowing about getting him in the second round with the 50th overall pick.
“He’s an edge pass rusher. He’s instinctive,” Giants general manager Dave Gettleman said. “He’s very bright. He plays hard, and he’s got pass rush ability and he’s also a solid run player. We’re really thankful to get him.”
Now comes the hard part for Ojulari, who the Giants hope will put a share into their mediocre pass rush.