The Netherlands are not a very well-represented country in the National Football League. Since its inception in 1967, only five Netherlands-born players have ever played in the NFL. Only two of them, Washington DT Romeo Bandison (1994-95) and two-time Super Bowl champion Harald Hasselbach (1994-2000), played more than three games.
Ask people on the streets of Amsterdam, The Hague or Utrecht who Tom Brady, Jerry Rice, or even Patrick Mahomes are, and you'll get a "Who?" 98 out of 100 times.
Maybe, just maybe, a certain Thomas Odukoya will change that.
After leaving the Netherlands at 19, playing JuCo football at West Hills College Coalinga, and attending Eastern Michigan, the tight end has made his unlikely way to the National Football League via the NFL's International Pathway Program.
Flashscore spoke to the Tennessee Titans tight end about his journey to the promised land, his NFL adventure, and what he means to the Dutch NFL fans.
'You don't dare to dream'
In the first of two parts, Odukoya and Flashscore's Paul Winters discuss the Dutchman's NFL career, rookie quarterback Cam Ward, and that 162-yard tackle against the Saints in the 2024 preseason.
Click here to read part two of Flashscore's interview with Thomas Odukoya.
Flashscore: Hi Thomas. How is your offseason going?
Thomas Odukoya: "It’s going well! We finished our mini-camp two weeks ago, which was the last part of the eight weeks of OTAs. Now we’re off, we have time to prepare for camp on our own.
"The offseason is just going well – the coaching staff is the same, we have a new general manager, so a few things have changed. Other than that, it’s going well. I'm working hard, and I’m happy with my performances so far; I hope to carry this momentum into camp."
How did you experience the last three and a half years since joining the Titans as an undrafted free agent?
"I joined the Titans in 2022, spent two years on the practice squad before making the active roster for the first time last season. Last season looked a little different for me than the others. The experience was amazing – I made my first minutes, mostly on special teams, which was a beautiful experience.
"You don’t dare to dream about it in college, and then you finally make it onto a practice squad and think: ‘Maybe this year, maybe this week’. Eventually, you make it onto the field. That’s an amazing experience.
"Of course, the season didn’t go as we hoped as a team. We went 3-14. Personally, I got a few opportunities – I played three games, not as many as I and the coaching staff hoped and expected, but sometimes it’s just how the cards fall. Hopefully, I get new chances this year."
How did you experience transitioning from Eastern Michigan to the Titans as an undrafted free agent, given that you're a Dutch player who started playing the sport later?
"I started playing American football when I was 16 years old. I went to the United States when I was 19 to play football at junior college, and a year and a half later, I went to Eastern Michigan.
"Before I start playing, and I think about how it’s coming up and the meetings are about to start, I get a nervous feeling. I felt that with every step, from the Netherlands to JuCo, from JuCo to Division I, from Eastern Michigan to the NFL. It’s a step up, a higher level. I want to be good enough, but how will I place myself? But every time I entered the field, I thought about it as just football. It’s what I know and can do. I always think I belong there."
The Titans added Florida QB Cameron Ward to the team during the offseason. What’s your first impression of him?
"Well, Cam's a future star. He really has special talents. I’ve had some quarterbacks: Will Levis, Mason Rudolph, Ryan Tannehill, Malik Willis… Quite a lot of guys passed during my time at the Titans, but I have to say that Cam Ward has the most special arm talent I’ve ever seen.
"The way he can place balls in certain places, the timing, the guts to dare to make some throws… Some guys see a player being covered, others don’t see the right look, but he just knows how to squeak those passes in there. I know he’s a future star in this league, and I’m really excited and curious to see how he’ll do."
Have you noticed his impact on the team yet? Both on the field and on a personal level?
"Absolutely. As a player, he’s very confident, and he exudes that. I absolutely think it impacts his teammates, especially on offence. It was different with Will Levis; he was not as confident as Cam, and sometimes a bit nervous in the huddle. You felt that.
"As the quarterback, you’re the leader of the offence. So far, during the OTAs, Cam has taken the leadership role, even as a rookie. I assume that will improve team spirit, having a strong, vocal leader to communicate with the team."
I remember Mike Vrabel said that they lucked out with you as an undrafted free agent. You’re gonna meet him again in week seven and in Tennessee. What’s that like?
"That’s gonna be a funny moment. Mike Vrabel was fired after my second season, and he’s now the head coach in New England. He took a lot of our coaching staff from two years ago, including my old tight end coach, the strength coach, the defensive line coach, and the outside linebackers coach… Half of the staff is back together. It’s going to be funny to see them again and to play against them.
"I have always found Mike Vrabel to be an amazing coach, and I think he’s a good fit for the New England organisation. But, of course, I want to win against them and have the last laugh. You never want an old coach to come back and beat you on your own turf.
"It’s going to be a good matchup, for sure. I’m sure it’s going to get a lot of media attention that week with the storyline."
You gained some competition in your team: Gunnar Helm. What’s your first impression of him, and what did you think when he was drafted?
"There’s a chance every year that they draft or sign a tight end. Gunnar was drafted in the fourth round, and I always watch the college highlights of players who are entering the league. He’s a good player. Ever since he arrived, he has worked hard and demonstrated that he’s a good player.
"He’s a competitor for me for a roster spot, but I’ve learned the past few years that I cannot stress about that. I have to focus on what I do, on my own game, and try to show myself as well as possible. What happens around me, I can’t stress about that. Who they draft, who they sign, that sort of stuff.
"They signed a free agent last year, Nick Vannett. He was my competition back then. He was the same sort of player as I, a more blocking tight end. We ended up with five tight ends on the roster.
"I’m not saying the same is going to happen this year, but the plan is to focus on what I do, what I bring to the table. I think Gunnar isn’t as good a blocker as I am; he can catch balls well, but I have to focus on what I can do. To be the best blocking tight end, the best special teams player, and the best receiver, I have to do my part."
Who in the current league do you model your game after?
"There are a few guys. I think Josh Oliver of the Vikings is the best blocking tight end in the league right now. Marcedes Lewis is still active, and at 41, he's the oldest tight end in the league – what they ask of him, he still delivers at a high level. He can still play on if he wants. In terms of technique, in the run game, it’s super special for me to see.
"George Kittle is a different type of tight end than I am, but I think he is the gold standard for a blocking tight end in the league in terms of technique and off-the-ball speed. Those three guys are my top choices, and those are the guys I watch the most film of to learn from."
Weren’t you supposed to go to Tight End University?
(Laughs) "No. They chose who to invite, and I wasn't invited. I found it odd, but that's just the way it is.
"I visited George Kittle’s house a couple of times last year to train with him. He lives 30 minutes from Nashville. He lives in a really big house, it’s where he lives in the offseason to train. He invites a couple of tight ends every day to come by and train with him, so I joined him a couple of times last year.
"But it looks like a cool event, I hope they’ll have fun."
What did you think of Brian Callahan in his first year, and what’s your impression of him?
"I think he’s a nice guy and a really good coach. A more offensively minded head coach compared to Mike Vrabel, who was a real defence and special teams guy. Cal is a more offensive coordinator like he used to be.
"After how last year went, I notice he’s doing some things differently. He was way more relaxed in his first year; the meetings weren’t as serious. The season didn’t go as we hoped; we lost a lot of games. After this offseason, you see a significant change in his approach. We train harder, and the meetings are more structured, so hopefully it’ll help. It’s also his first time as a head coach, so I get why he’s adjusting things.
"With a new quarterback, all the receivers and tight ends, the second year in this system, and a new general manager, I hope coach Cal gets all the keys to run a better season. Especially for coaches and general managers, but mostly for coaches, it’s a result-based business. You’ll get a chance if you have one bad season, but one or two more, and you get fired. I’ve noticed that in my time. Brian Callahan is my second head coach, and I’m on my third general manager in my three years here."
Is this season going to be the best season to make a run, judging by how the division is doing? The Texans have been doing well with C.J. Stroud, but the Jaguars have a new head coach, the Colts have quarterback problems…
"Absolutely. The AFC South hasn’t been a very strong division in recent history. What’s good for us in our position, I have to say, everyone is beatable. If you compare last year to this year, we have a better team. You’re going into a game with the knowledge that you can compete with these guys and compete for the division.
"It's an advantage for a rebuilding team like us. There’s hope, and there’s upside for us to win the division and enter the playoffs."
Who’s the best teammate you’ve had over the years?
"In terms of player or teammate and friend?"
Do both.
"Alright. Player… I think Derrick Henry. Derrick Henry did things you didn’t think were possible. I think he’s the most pro’s pro there is. How he approaches his game, his week, game preparation, his offseason, diet, recovery, and workouts… It’s the best I’ve ever seen.
"He’s really meticulous. He measures and tracks everything in what he does and eats. He’s one of the oldest running backs in the league, but he was the most productive behind Saquon (Barkley) last year. That’s the most pro’s pro there is. He doesn’t say much, outside of football and preparing for football, he doesn’t do anything. He goes home, he goes to work, and that’s it.
"I have been around so many good leaders I look up to. Ryan Tannehill was, of course, a player, but he was also a sort of coach on the field and in the meeting rooms. He was one of the very few I saw who knew the offence and understood defences better than the coaches. He stopped meetings to tell how he saw it, saying how if a defensive back turned his foot one way, he’d go that way to play this coverage and that he’d want to throw the ball in that direction and in this way. He did it for so long at such a high level. That was someone I looked up to a lot.
"And my buddies, Chigoziem Okonkwo and Malik Willis, those have been the two best friends I’ve had on the team. David Martin-Robinson, another tight end I’m close with and who I work with a lot."
How is it to work in this deep tight end room?
"It’s weird. You’re competing for the same spot and the same job. You want to get the most reps. Everyone competes, but they’re also your best friends on the team. It’s an odd dynamic; you want to do it better than the man next to you, but you also want him to do really well.
"As I mentioned with Gunnar, you need to keep the competition out of your mind and focus on doing your best. If it’s the other’s turn, think about how you can help him in the best way. Of course, we have a coach, but we also coach each other during practices. Someone will do a rep, and when they return to the tight ends, everyone will share what they could have done better or what went well. It’s a really healthy relationship."
I saw that you went on holiday with Okonkwo and Martin-Robinson, as well as with Yetur Gross-Matos and Sam Okuayinonu of the 49ers.
"Yeah, we went on holiday with the five of us. It’s a brotherhood – you’re really good friends, despite playing each other. I played against Yetur and Sam during the preseason, and after the season, we were in Japan together."
Terron Armstead said recently that Rams rookie Jared Verse was one of the reasons he retired. What if your name gets called in Week Two against the Rams, you play 12 personnel, and you have to block Jared Verse?
"I never play with fear, I have to say. I always think I’m standing there for a reason, and if I couldn’t do it, I wouldn’t stand there. Everyone can be blocked.
"At the end of the day, you play against other players. You don’t play against Superman. Some are better than others, but if you have a bad technique and you don’t go for it the full 100%, every defensive end will destroy a tight end.
"I know I have to bring my A-game, whoever it is. So whether it’s Jared Verse or a third-stringer on the Titans, you know you always have to be at your best."
What’s the matchup you look forward to the most, besides the Niners?
(Laughs) "I really think the Patriots matchup. Of course, because of Mike Vrabel, but also for the old coaches. When Mike Vrabel was here, I spent two years on the practice squad and never played for him. Not that I’m bitter about that, but in my opinion, I deserved an opportunity.
"There are a lot of factors coming into play, but I want to beat the Patriots, so they have to watch the film and think Thomas Odukoya should’ve played when they had the chance."
I’m going to take you back one more time. What do you think Mike Vrabel saw or thought when you tackled Samson Nacua after that long chase?
"I think he was really proud, to be honest. He didn’t send me a message, but I think he was a happy man watching television.
"He was one of the most outspoken individuals about me, whether in the meeting room or in the media. He had a weekly meeting on Friday, during which he showed NFL clips of both good and bad examples, and I’m sure he’ll use that clip as a good example. I bet he’s glad it worked.
"There were other coaches, like both my old tight end coaches, who sent me messages saying they were proud of me. When I made the 53-man roster a few days later, they sent me more messages saying they were proud, that I did well and that I earned my spot. Old coaches definitely keep in touch and watch their former players out of curiosity."
When I saw that play, most of the tweets and headlines were about Samson Nacua and how he nearly made a huge play, but you were the guy that evening.
"What’s that statistic? I have the record of the longest distance to make a tackle since the stat was tracked in the NFL, 162 yards. It’s really funny that it went that way."
There is no greater hustle play.
"When I made the 53-man roster, it was one of the things my general manager and head coach said. 'The player you are, you always give 100%, you always work so hard, that’s why we want you on the 53-man roster,' they said.
"It’s been the identity of my whole career: to work harder. Maybe I wasn’t always the most talented or the fastest, but I just worked harder than anyone else."
What’s your favourite route? A 162-yard angle drill, or something else?
(Laughs) "It was right before half-time. After that play, I sat down in my locker, trying to catch my breath during the whole half-time, so I probably will not pick that one.
"The most routes I run, during practices and games, are shorter routes. Flat routes, out routes, sit routes, etc. What my favourite route is… That’s a good question. I think the flat route, because I get the ball the most, as it’s an easy checkdown for the quarterback. Hopefully, I’ll catch a few from Cam Ward in the preseason and during the regular season as well."
Where do you set your goals for next year?
"I’m never too focused on catching the ball, if I’m honest. I caught about one pass per game in college. I had three catches in three preseason games last year, so statistically, I won’t write anything down.
"I think my most significant impact as a player is what I can do without the ball in my hands. How can I block for my running back, quarterback or receivers? How many tackles can I make on special teams? How often can I help a punt not get blocked? That’s what will determine my success as a player next season."
Click here to read part two of Flashscore's interview with Thomas Odukoya.