Paschal Ekeji was 17 years old when a friend in South Africa asked him to play “Madden.” Ekeji, an accomplished rugby player, had never seen American football before. 

“I didn’t know what football was,” Ekeji said this week. “He beat me bad.”

Ekeji immediately sought out YouTube and began watching “Madden” tutorials, and he discovered highlights of Odell Beckham Jr. there, too. He began to learn more about football from the videos. 

Seven years later, Ekeji could share the field with Beckham when the Jets face the Giants at MetLife Stadium. Ekeji is now an outside linebacker with the Jets as part of the NFL’s International Pathway Program. He will be playing in the third football game of his life and will see Beckham up close.

“It’s pretty cool,” Ekeji said.

Unlike many of the players in Friday’s game, Ekeji’s roster spot is likely secure. The Jets can carry him on their practice squad and he won’t count against their roster limit since he is in the IPP. 

Ekekji was born in Lesotho to Nigerian parents. They moved to Ficksburg, South Africa, when he was young. Ekeji became a professional rugby player. 

His agent sent him an email in 2022 that former Giant Osi Umenyiora was holding a workout in Ghana, looking for international players. Ekeji tried out as a receiver but was too young for the program. 

He stayed interested in the NFL, watching games when he could. Then, he got another chance in January 2025 and moved to defensive end. 

The Jets ended up signing Ekeji in November and he was added to their practice squad. Suddenly, he was on a practice field with pro football players. 

Jets defensive tend Nate Lynn celebrates with New York Jets defensive end Paschal Ekeji (54) after sacking Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Drew Allar. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

“It was interesting,” Ekeji said. “I think I got here at like 228 pounds. I remember my first practice. I was on scout team and Jelani [Woods] and [Armand] Membou run like an outside zone and they double-team me, basically, and they just washed me out of the field. I came off the field, I went to the strength and conditioning coach. I said, ‘Listen, I need to get in the weight room.’ ” 

After the season, coach Aaron Glenn reinforced that message. 

“I feel so good about that player and the way he’s attacked this whole deal,” Glenn said. “I mean, in the offseason I think he was around 220, something like that, and we had a heart-to-heart in my office, ‘If this is what you want to do, here’s the things that you have to improve on.’ And he took it to heart and he came back at 245.”

Ekeji stayed in New Jersey this offseason and added the weight that Glenn requested. Now, Ekeji looks the part and also has learned the game. 

Jets defensive lineman Paschal Ekeji (54) practices at training camp. Bill Kostroun/New York Post

Defensive lineman Harrison Phillips has seen the growth Ekeji has made not just with his physique but also his football IQ. Phillips said when Ekeji first got to the team last year he might ask how to identify a running back vs. a tight end. Now, he recognizes formations and how their defensive calls change because of them. 

“There isn’t a player who I’ve seen make a bigger jump in a short period of time,” Phillips said. “Now, he’s coming from a very low education on NFL football and things like that, so I’m expecting him to make those jumps.”

This summer has been another one of firsts for Ekeji. The Jets preseason opener against the Buccaneers was the first football game he ever played in — not the first NFL game, the first game, period. Though his teammates likely began playing at 10 or 12, Ekeji made his debut at 24. 

“I remember before the game in the pregame,” Ekeji said, “like way before the game, David Bailey and I went out to the field and walked around the field a little bit, and we just stood there and looked at each other and were like, what?”

Bailey was the No. 2 overall pick who was a star in high school then a star in college. His path to the pros is the usual one. Ekeji’s path is hard to believe. A year ago, he was still playing rugby. Now, he’s lining up against the Giants. 

“That’s a blessing,” Ekeji said. “I’m thankful to God for giving me an opportunity to be in this place. I don’t take it for granted. I try and make sure that when I come into work, I understand that I’m blessed to be here and that there’s an expectation, in a good way. I get to have expectations. I get to work hard and I get to do this every single day. So, I try and think of it that way.”

Ekeji’s dream is to take this as far as he can. Maybe someday he can appear in a regular-season game. For now, he’ll get another preseason game and he’ll share the field with Beckham, one of his football inspirations. 

“I’m proud of the way he’s attacked this deal,” Glenn said. “Listen, he’s giving himself a chance, and that’s all he can ask for, just give himself a chance.”