Captain of the Green Giants, an American football team based in Abuja, Adebisi Olatilewa Adetoro, reflects on the tragic circumstances surrounding his father’s death, which led him to lose interest in the sport and ultimately quit at a young age.
When asked about the possibility of returning to the game in the future, Adetoro’s response does not exude much confidence though he is currently focused on rebuilding his life.
“For now, I am just trying to survive. I have not given it much thought,” he said. “I am grateful for the opportunity to start afresh, and at this point, I am solely focused on reorganising my life.”
Born on July 26, 1995, the 6 feet, 3 inches tall outside linebacker and defensive end, who weighs 115kg (253 pounds) grew up in a close-knit family. His father, a former banker who later got retrenched, transitioned into farming and livestock ownership thereafter, finding joy in his new ventures.
However, tragedy struck in May 2022 when Mr. Aderogba Olufemi Adetoro was kidnapped during a period of heightened insecurity in the northern Nigerian state of Kaduna.
Although Mr. Adetoro was eventually released, the trauma of the experience led to his untimely death.
“It was a very painful experience for me and I lost every interest in life. We were close and he was a mentor to me. I was always the first he shared his plans with. We shared a very deep bond,” Adetoro recalls the pain of losing his father.
Adetoro further claims that the events leading to his dad’s demise and other incidents that ensued thereafter have profoundly affected and adversely impacted his career path which, for now, is on hold.
“I even fear for my own safety on a daily basis and that has resulted in me in living a more reclusive life lately,” he added.
Adetoro, who was part of the team that started American football in Kaduna a few years ago, participated in the International Pathway Program and made a significant impact in the program.
