Nate Landman’s Life as an African NFL Player: “People Don’t Believe Me at First’ | Los Angeles Rams

For Nate Landman, surprises have become routine. this Los Angeles Rams The defender loses his eyebrows, giggles and awkward pauses when people learn where his story begins.

“They didn’t believe me at first,” Landman said. “I’ll show them I’m covered with African tattoos and some people will say I’m still lying until they look it up or someone will promise me.”

Landman didn’t exaggerate – a white man with a California accent isn’t the picture of most people, what would one of the few African players in the NFL look like. But in 1998, Landman’s roots were born with the Zimbabwean capital Harare, intertwined with the country’s sports traditions. His South African father, Shaun, played international rugby in Zimbabwe at the time. The family took the opportunity when an engineering consulting firm offered Sean’s position in California. When Nate was three, Landmans moved to Danville, California, and not only brought their property, but also a rich cultural identity.

Landman is the only active NFL player with Zimbabwean roots. Stansly Maponga, also born in Zimbabwe, played from 2013 to 2015. There is no influx of international players like the NBA in the NFL. Foreign-born players account for only 3% to 4% of the league’s figures – Canada, Germany and Nigeria have the most. The NFL tries to change this and create an international player pathway program to increase the number of players born outside the United States

As for Landman, as he was aged by the past, Harare became more like a blur of childhood than a memory. But his family kept Zimbabwe at home, especially when it comes to food.

“We brought a lot of Zimbabwean culture into our home,” Landman said. “Our home is still well decorated as if we were still in Zimbabwe.”

Landman grew up between the world when his three siblings and parents were proud of their connections to South Africa and Zimbabwe: the outside of California suburbs, the inside of African traditions.

Athleticism talks with the Landman family will never be out of reach. Shaun played for the University of Cape Town and then represented Zimbabwe in rugby. Nate’s mother is also a competitive athlete.

Inspired by this legacy, Landman put himself into sports. In high school, he performed well in football and baseball. But it was football that became his call.

At the University of Colorado, Landman’s ruthless energy quickly made him a cornerstone of defensiveness. In five seasons, he has gained a reputation as one of the better defenders at the Pac-12 conference. He won first-team All-Pac-12 honors in 2019 and 2020 and added a second team in 2021. His style of play – fast, physical, fearless – reflects the competitive fire passed by his father.

But the NFL is rarely straight.

Although he produced in Colorado production, he did not have a name called Landman in the 2022 NFL Draft. Instead, he signed with the Atlanta Falcons and was an undrafted free agent. He worked on the roster, appeared in a special roster in seven games, and was cut and appointed to the practice team later that season.

“It’s hard not to draft it,” Landman said. “It’s not an easy path. It’s the path I’m proud of because it makes me the player I am today. I took advantage of the opportunity… it’s a big part of my story.”

Perseverance paid off in the following season. Landman not only became the Falcons’ roster, but also started 14 of 16 games. He collected 110 tackles, seven tackle losses and had the second best running rate in the NFL among qualified guards (12.6%).

For Landman, that achievement roughly exceeded the number. This is about verification.

“It’s about setting one goal, reaching it, and setting another goal,” he said. “I’m very proud to be the starter in this league. It’s something everyone is trying to do. It’s especially not easy for people who are not drafting.”

Landman signed a one-year contract with the Rams in the offseason, which was easy. The team needed his leadership at the inside linebacker, which helped Landman build a strong relationship with RAMS assistant defensive coach Jimmy Lake, who previously worked with Atlanta under the same system.

“These guys allowed me to take a step forward in the game,” Landman said. “Everyone [on defense] To improve each other, this is the biggest thing I have noticed here. ”

Rams’ coach Greg Williams noted that Landman brought some different intangible assets to the team.

“He brought us something we haven’t had in a while for a while, and that’s his communication and energy,” Williams said after last Saturday’s pre-season win against the Cleveland Browns. “He learned the whole game from the whole game from the perspective of running games and passing. So he communicated with the whole defense, and he’s the glue that puts all the games together, which gives people the freedom to play and everyone loves it.”

Whether it’s the culture that weaved into his family life, the continent had tattoos on the right side of his chest, or the determination to bring him from an overlooked rookie to the NFL starter, he continued to bring Zimbabwe to the court when he last visited his home country two years ago.

Hard work may have built his career, but his identity is based on that.

“It’s important for me to have the support of my relatives, wear a tattoo and have the Zimbabwe flag behind my helmet,” he said.