The Baltimore Ravens selected edge rusher Odafe “Jayson” Oweh with the 31st pick in the 2021 NFL draft. The Ravens could have opted to trade out of the selection and acquire a few more picks in later rounds, but opted to take their guy in Oweh, someone who has incredible athletic gifts and tools.
During his introductory press conference with Baltimore media members, Oweh was asked about where his name, Jayson, came from. Oweh responded that Jayson is actually his middle name and switched to it because people had trouble pronouncing his actual first name, Odafe.
Oweh said he went by Jayson for a long time because Odafe was harder to pronounce (he's of Nigerian dissent). He said he doesn't care anymore and people are going to have to get used to it. He's going by Odafe (O-dah-FAY) now.
— Ryan Mink (@ryanmink) April 30, 2021
For Oweh, his NFL career represents a new chapter in his life. Flipping the page on Jayson and switching back to using his first name is something that’s he seemingly feels strongly about, and rightfully so. While Odafe might be a bit harder to pronounce than Jayson, it’s not that much more difficult. As Oweh said, people will have to learn how to pronounce his first name, because he doesn’t care that it’s a tiny bit more complicated to say.