Q & A with Ben Chukwuma of the Tampa Bay Bucs

talk with this NFL star about overcoming the odds in making it to the NFL while as his dad battles PD

Transcript

SPEAKER_01 0:17

Hey guys, welcome to the My Pee Beep Peeps Pod, What is Shaking? I have been looking so forward to this. Um, it kind of came about kind of quick. Um, I can't believe that this man is willing to do this for us. And I don't want to bury the lead by waiting until the end. So I'm gonna and I don't want anybody to shy away who doesn't think they know sports. So I'm gonna tell you right now what this man has done. Um, you will have seen last week all over the internet, um, the NFL had the My Cause My Cleats um initiative where players were allowed to wear their cleats for a special uh uh foundation that they have a compassionate side for. And I so from Parkinson's, that's why we're all here. Um, this man put on the Michael J. Fox Foundation cleats. Um and I could not wait to knock on doors to see what I had to do to get him on. Um, I can't believe he's doing it in season. Um, I did ask him off the air because while I'm older than him, he's a lot bigger than me. So while his name is Benjamin, I asked if I call him Ben. So I don't want anybody thinking I was being rude. Um, but listen, I think everybody needs to hear your story because it's not just about football, it is such an inspirational story. Uh listen, so without further ado, NFL Star, Tampa Bay Buccaneers who are in first place, Mr. Benjamin Chukmora. How are you doing, sir?

SPEAKER_00 1:32

I'm good, I'm great, I'm blessed. Thank you for having me.

SPEAKER_01 1:35

Thank you so much for coming on. This is so amazing, and so many people are gonna love this and be inspired by it. Listen, before we get into the questions, forget Rudy, forget blind side. People need to know your story, man. Uh it's unbelievable. I have watched so many things about you, where you came from, your humble beginnings, what you what you had overcome to be on the field. Um, listen, like I said, forget Rudy, forget the blind side. Listen, when Netflix comes calling or Disney, it was my idea first. We we need a story. I'm ready for the movie, man. So so listen, I'm toying with this. I'm toying with this. I got came up with two titles for you. Tell me what you think about this: undrafted to unstoppable, or my favorite, because I know you're big into face like me. Yeah, built for Sundays, the Chuck, the Ben Chuck Morris story. Which which one do you like better?

SPEAKER_00 2:25

I like the second one too.

SPEAKER_01 2:26

So listen, I I don't know who's gonna play you. We'll find somebody for you, but I'm thinking for my role in your movie, Brad Pitt, Mark Walbert, we'll figure somebody out for you. So listen, man, all joking aside, I want people to know who they're talking to. If, like I said, if they don't have a sports background, um, your your all-American story didn't start in America. Um 2017, I believe.

SPEAKER_00 2:47

You came over with 2017, yeah.

SPEAKER_01 2:50

From Nigeria, right?

SPEAKER_00 2:51

From Nigeria, yeah.

SPEAKER_01 2:53

Talk to me about what was the biggest um, I don't want to say obstacle. What was the biggest thing you had to get used to? I'm sure the spices and the food's number one, but yeah, what was your what was your biggest hurdle coming over here?

SPEAKER_00 3:06

Uh one of my biggest uh hurdle was um the culture, you know, the way people interacted with each other. Because I was when I came in, I was so shy because my accent was different from everybody else's accent. So I thought I was insecure with my accent. So I I had like I say like five conversations with my time and being being in in high school back then. So like I feel like it's just mainly my the culture, cultures change the way people interact with each other and stuff like that. Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 3:38

Listen, you you sound just fine now, man. So now, what a lot of people don't know about you, too, is obviously as somebody who suffers from Parkinson's, did I read this right? Or you won't you couldn't have been my neurologist. You originally were studying to neuroscience. Is that what what led you down that path?

SPEAKER_00 3:53

I mean, as a Nigerian, like your parents, your parents want you to be there, a doctor, a lawyer, or uh, you know, one of those jobs. And to my dad, you know, he asked Parkinson, I'm like, okay, I don't know what I want to do, but I love biology, I love science. I'm like, okay, let me let me just be a brain surgeon, you know. I was like, let me just do this. So um I started doing neuroscience. I got into neuroscience, it was cool and everything. Then going into my junior year of college, when I decided to actually play football, um, I was like, oh, I can't juggle neuroscience, and so I had to switch it to computer information system. Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 4:31

But but I tell you what, though, a lot of another thing that a lot of people don't know. Here's what I find most one of the most amazing things about you. I don't think you touched the football till 2021. Like you you were a big soccer and basketball guy, right?

SPEAKER_00 4:43

Yeah, yeah. Yeah, I yeah, I was I raised, I was born and raised playing soccer. Yeah, that's why I grew up playing. Um, the other sports I liked was basketball because you know, Michael Jordan was a big uh name back in Nigeria. So I love Michael Jordan. I wanted to be the Ness a larger one. Yeah, Akeem Oliger One. I wanted to be the Ness Akeem Oliver One. So stories like that inspired me to want to play basketball. So when I moved here, like the first thing I wanted to do was play basketball, but I wasn't that good because you know basketball is a whole different game, too. So I wasn't really that good. I was too learning how to play basketball. Uh some coaches wanted me to play football. I was like, I don't know what football is, I don't think I want to play. You know what football is, but not American football. American football, yeah. Yeah, I know what American football was. Um then um they made me actually join the team my senior year of high school. Um the coaches, uh the class I had, the former football coach was in the class, was a teacher in the class, and I had a football player in the same class. So they convinced me to try football, and I tried it, but I still didn't know what was going on. So pretty much the entire time I was in the sidelines watching. So um, so yeah, that was my first introduction to football.

SPEAKER_01 6:02

I know what soccer. I heard you're an Arsenal fan and you're a Barcelona fan. So I'm assuming you're a messy guy, not a Ronaldo guy. Yeah, I'm a messy guy, big messy guy. Here's the problem we're gonna have. I love Joel Embiid, but I heard you're a 76er fan. Now you have you seen them play? Are you still a 76er fan?

SPEAKER_00 6:17

I mean, I ain't gonna lie, I won't watch much of basketball. This is because I'm focused on my season. So I won't watch much of basketball, but like for Joel Embiid, um, people like Joel Embiid, Gannis, like their stories are similar to mine. They've never played, you know, they they picked up the sports and you know went to be as great as they are right now. So like it's stories like this that motivated me to know that I can do it. Yeah, so yeah.

SPEAKER_01 6:43

Well, listen, that that's one of the things that really you you found a soft spot in my heart, but um, Ben, I'm not gonna lie to you. When when I research you and I and I look at your story, now listen, I'm a big sports guy, but when I dive deep into you, you're you're a man of faith, you're a hard worker, you're obviously an extremely smart man. I can't imagine all that you had to juggle a new language, a new culture, studies to be a neuroscience. Um I can't imagine what you're and I also heard stories how you how you were like if I recall you were sleeping in in locker locker rooms and libraries. I mean, you're you're a passionate man. Um, and that listen, you got a soft spot in my heart for that. And you know, one of the things that we we always talk about with the Parkinson's is community. Um you need you need a community, you need caregivers, you need people that you know you can rely on in your worst days. Um I I heard I know my mom was very big for you, watching the example she said, going to work every day. Um, but bringing it a little to football, when you got to college, tell us about your coach Sean Elliott and what all he's meant to you.

SPEAKER_00 7:40

My coach Elliott?

SPEAKER_01 7:41

Yes.

SPEAKER_00 7:42

Oh yeah, um, because with me, um since growing up, like not everybody have believed in me, you know, not everybody have given me that chance. So for my coach back then, you know, I just I don't I've never played football for real. Like the only position I knew was D end. So when I tried out for the I tried out to make the team, um, I was like, oh, I don't I don't know what I want to try out for, but I just know I want to try out for something. I try I went out there, did my thing. Coachelio was like, the first time Coachelio saw me was like, I don't think he needs to try out. Whatever he does, I if he good does good or better, we're taking him. We're taking him. So like pretty much, yeah, after that, um, they took me out of 40 people that tried out. I was one of the eight that made it. Um, they were like, Okay, I was expecting to play D and they were like, No, you're too tall, you too, you have long hands, play whole line. It was a weird position for me because I was like, How's why am I kick kick setting on going backwards for expecting it couldn't have been too weird because your second game, you kicked ass in a bowl game, so it couldn't have been too weird.

SPEAKER_01 8:44

You caught on fast.

SPEAKER_00 8:45

Yeah, so yeah, pretty much like I started. I was like, This is I knew I was fast, I was athletic, I was strong, like everybody knew that. But like it was more for me learning the game was more like I don't I don't know really know what I'm doing. Like, either I'll go the wrong way, but I'm going the wrong way fast as fuck. Unique and everything. Sorry for my lack of that's right. That's all right. This ain't A B C go for it. Yeah, so things like this. I feel like that's what the coaches seen now, you know, believed in me, and they knew that I could go somewhere, that the sky is my limit. So, like Cush Elliott, could um Sean Elliott, he played, I feel like he played a really, really big role in my you know, story because he gave me that chance. He he was keen and seeing me develop, and it was like, okay, you've you've you've been doing this, you've been learning for like a year or two years now. Let's see how you do that out in the game. So he put me out there in the game, I did good. My first game, the second game was the bowl game. I played that my first left left tackle start, won the bowl game. So I'm from there, like everything has just been building. I've been building after that. Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 9:52

The one thing that I saw when I went back, I watched a lot of your pre-draft stuff, a lot of your interviews. They all talked about your your effort, but your ability. Um, which I always tell my three boys listen, you don't have to be the most talented, but you better leave it all out in the field. Yeah, um, I think that's important. And the reason I say that, you know, with Parkinson's, you know, no pun intended, we you're gonna you're gonna get half ups and downs, you're gonna fall. And and I think with Parkinson's, a lot of it for me was getting my mind on right and knowing that you know it's not how you get down, it's how you get back up. And so so the one question I'll ask you. Um, I mean, we know there's a happy ending here, but you went undrafted. So going through that process, I mean, obviously hoping and praying that you're gonna get drafted. Was there a part of you that afterwards said maybe the same for me, or did you just know you had so much ability that you were okay not being drafted? You you you didn't question anything at all?

SPEAKER_00 10:44

For me, like I a big thing for me is my faith, like my faith's in God. That's it because that's I went through a lot in 2023, 2024. Uh at some points in 2023, I quit playing football because I had to take care of my dad. He just had surgery and stuff, so I had to take care of him. So I quit playing football, and that was so depressing. So I had to come back. And since then, like the main thing that I've been making me that kept me going is my faith. So it went to the fact that when it came down to being um um the draft and everything, a lot of scouts were calling me, a lot of scouts were testing me. That alone I was so grateful for because just a few, I just got I just I was just put on scholarship two years ago. So like I was so that's that's enough for me. I'm blessed. Like being drafted can be cool, but at the same time, like the fact that all these scouts are reaching out to me, testing me, all these agents are reaching out to me. Even when it comes it came down when I wasn't drafted, I had the opportunity to choose from the variety of teams where I wanted to go to because I had the highest signing bonus.

SPEAKER_01 11:48

And I hope you sent did you send your agent a thank you card by the way? Hell yeah, you better take care of your agent.

SPEAKER_00 11:54

Yeah, definitely, definitely. We're locked in. So I was like, Yeah, I can't, I can't be upset, I can't be sad that I wasn't drafted. It's more like for me to be in a this situation I'm in, I'm blessed. Um, yeah, that's fulfilled because now I keep saying it every single day. I can't believe I'm here. Like it's I feel I still feel like I'm in a dream.

SPEAKER_01 12:16

So listen, that's that's what I say. Listen, when I have my bad days, you just gotta say that. I mean, listen, live in the now, be grateful for what you have. Um, yeah, because tomorrow's not promised, you know. As long as you have faith, you know. I I always say, well, I shouldn't say I always say my pastor always says, faith doesn't look for effort, it looks for your hand and belief. Yeah, when nobody's there for you, who else is but faith is gonna stick their hand out and say, Let me help you? I'm here. Um it's a pretty amazing thing to have, and it's and it's a it's a beautiful thing to have. Um so now you you sign with you sign with the box. This is the stuff that dreams or like I told you, movies are made of. Um what what is that first feeling when you when you step on a field? I mean, I I know the gameplay is obviously fast and different, but just from inside, I mean, like you said, you still live in a dream. I mean, what was what like your first thoughts stepping on a field?

SPEAKER_00 13:04

I feel like every game they I cry, I shed a tear because it's is unreal. I'm like, is this my life right now? Because I remember everything that I've happened previously in the past, like from me sleeping in the locker room, me sleeping in the library, me after having to wake up in in the morning at 4 a.m. to go with my mom so she can drop me off for practice, me walking from my dorm to all the way to the practice room with 40 minutes. Like, I know how far I have come. Like, so like me being on the field every single game day, I shed a tear. I I literally shed a tear and tell God, I'm nothing. I'm nothing, literally, I'm nothing. Thank you, God, for bringing me in this, making me here. Like, I literally shed a tear. So it's so it's still overwhelming. I still believe I still feel like I'm in a dream, you know.

SPEAKER_01 13:51

So, yeah, that's what that's what, like I said, you you got a soft spot in my heart, man. That's and I I I hear that every time you talk, how you how you praise God. And one thing you you said too, you said playing playing on the field is a privilege, it's an honor and a privilege. It's amazing that you view it that way because a lot of guys don't, you know. Yeah, a lot, unfortunately, a lot of players view it as their right, you know, they're born to play. You know, you you know how hard you work, like you just said to get to there. So I feel like you have a different outlook on that. How is it treated you so far? I mean, I know we're only in the first year. How's the NFL treated you?

SPEAKER_00 14:22

I said I'm blessed. Like everybody in the in the facility, everybody in the organization are so nice, so kind. I I be here in terms of rookies being aged and stuff, like none of that is happening. Like, everybody they're treating us, the rookies, with love. Everybody wants you to grow. No one is trying to put it as like a competition. Everyone wants everybody wants you to see you get better. The coaches, uh, they be on my ass every single day because they know how good I can get. So everybody wants you to see you better. Tristan, the Tristan, the the six-stand, six-stand pro tackle, like is so humble, like he's so humble. It comes down to your level to want to help you, want to see you get better. So, like, I'm blessed to be in the organization I am right now.

SPEAKER_01 15:04

I feel also feel like like as a football fan, looking in at your team, you have a lot of you're built around grit and hard work, you know, guys like you, guys like Baker Mayfield, even your coach. Yeah, I mean, these are these are guys that at first everybody was like, I don't know, maybe, maybe not. And and look at you, everybody's thriving. And yeah, that that's a that's a great scenario to be. Everybody pushes each other, and I think that's phenomenal, man.

SPEAKER_00 15:24

Yeah, pretty much, yeah.

SPEAKER_01 15:25

So a quick sidebar question here. Name me one quarterback you would like to protect, not name Bacon Mayfield. Uh not on the bucks, because it can't be the backup quarterback either.

SPEAKER_00 15:41

Okay, I'll say, I'll say my homes. Yeah, I get it. I get it.

SPEAKER_01 15:48

Who do you think who do you think is the hardest player you not not in college, so far in the pros, even if it's practice or scrimmages or exhibitions. Who is the hardest player you went against?

SPEAKER_00 16:03

I feel like so far, because I haven't really gotten no, you know, reps for real. So right now, yeah, yeah, that's I feel like right now that's the artist I've you know faced, you know, it's oh my god, it's so yeah, so quick and he he times the ball, the the cadence, the so well. So like if if you don't if you're not your your stuff, it's gonna whoop your ass every single time. So like yeah, I say yeah is the the the artist I've faced.

SPEAKER_01 16:34

Um again, talking about I mean, talking about faith. Um I know you're big on it, I am big on it. Um listen, when I got rebaptized, that changed my life. Um, I felt like I was putting on God's uniform. To be honest with you, putting on his jersey. I see on your page you you you quoted Matthew 9 29, because of faith it will happen. Is that your favorite script scriptures or anything else that you put on the case?

SPEAKER_00 17:00

Yeah, my favorite scripture, I put it on my my bio. Yeah, uh, Matthew chapter 6, verse 33. You know, seek God first, seek his kingdom first, and everything else should be given to you. So, like, I just I just put everything in God, like you know, I like I can't I can't overthink. I can't be like, oh um, am I gonna make it? I might just put everything in God, just just trust God, have faith in God, leave everything to God, and it'll all happen on his timing, man.

SPEAKER_01 17:28

It's all on his time.

SPEAKER_00 17:29

Yeah, it's all happening on his timing.

SPEAKER_01 17:30

Yeah, you know, I always say I say faith should be faith should be I'm sorry, I'm gonna get this wrong. Prayer should be your first priority, not your last resort. You know what I mean? Yeah, yeah. So listen, um wrapping us up with a couple of quickies. Um obviously, I suffer from Parkinson's. You're talking to an audience that suffers from Parkinson's. Um, like I said, what what you did for this community, it touched me. I'm I'm not gonna lie to because there's only a couple of a handful of guys that did it. Um obviously your dad is affected. I know why you did it, but it means a lot to uh a million others. Um and I mean that from the bottom of my heart. Yeah, what what words of inspiration would you leave for the the Parkinson's warriors on this community?

SPEAKER_00 18:18

I can say is you're loved, you know, we're all we're here for you, you're loved, keep going. I know it's a me first hand, I experience, I see you know what my dad is going through and everything. So I know it's a difficult battle, like it's very difficult. Just know you're loved, like you know, we're here for you. Like, um, we're praying for you, I'm praying for you. Um, you know, just keep going, keep fighting. Like you're you're you're you're you're you're a warrior. Like all I can say, you guys are warriors, you guys because it's difficult, it's hard. Like, and like I said, seeing it firsthand, so I know you know how how hard it can get. So, like, all I can say is you guys are doing your big thing, just keep going. I'm gonna keep praying for you guys. You guys are your loved, you know. So, yeah.

SPEAKER_01 19:04

You I'm gonna put you on the spot. Do you happen to have the cleats in the room anywhere?

SPEAKER_00 19:08

Yes, can I see them?

SPEAKER_01 19:10

So, show show the people what they're looking at. Wow, what a beautiful thing. Fox foundation right on the side. That that's so beautiful. Should I ask what size it is? It's taking up my whole screen. So size 15. I won't ask you what they cost, man. That's all like and like I said, you know, like when I got re-baptized, I felt like I was putting on God's uniform. When you put those cleats on, you you became part of the Parkinson's family. You were anyway, because of your dad. That meant so much to a lot of people, and and God bless you, man. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Um, I'm gonna ask you two sidebar questions real fast. Okay, so you have a soccer background. My two kids play soccer. My one son goes to Bible school and he's about to graduate. Yeah, I brought him to a field, and this kid was banging 40-yard field goals on his first try. Oh, I keep I keep telling him he should try kick kick kick just to walk on, right? I mean, it's a thing.

SPEAKER_00 20:04

Yeah, yeah. That's because me, if if I could kick a ball, I ain't gonna lie. I would sense it be a kicker. So, yeah, that's crazy can kick from it. Like, just yeah, you should. I feel like you should try it, just give it a try.

SPEAKER_01 20:22

Absolutely, man. I'm gonna beat him up if he doesn't. So the last thing I'm gonna apologize for. I'm obviously a big Ben fan now. You you got my vote. I've been honest with you, then I I was not a Tampa Bay fan. Yeah, I'm nothing against him, but I have another. So here's my question: when you get so big and and they can't afford you anymore, you know, after the movie deal and everything else, any shot I could get you to go down the road to my team. Because two needs somebody to back it to protect them, man.

SPEAKER_00 20:54

Once we get there, once we get there.

SPEAKER_01 20:57

You you call me, and I'm gonna walk it, I'm gonna walk you to the hard rock stadium, man. But until then, until then, we can agree on this team.

SPEAKER_00 21:06

Yeah, temperature.

SPEAKER_01 21:08

I love it. Listen, man, again, thank you so much. Again, you have been such an inspiration to me. Um, listen, it was blowing up all over the the internet as far as what what you did for this community with those cleats. Yeah, I can't believe in season you're willing to spend a couple of minutes with me. God bless you, sir. Thank you. Um, and thank you. Thank you so much for coming on. And we're gonna have you again when you're holding that Lombardi trophy, man, regardless of whatever team it's on.

SPEAKER_00 21:32

Amen.

SPEAKER_01 21:33

All right, thank you so much. Listen, until next time, everybody, keep moving, keep laughing, and keep connecting. Thank you so much, Beth.