Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Uar Bernard said Nigeria has a deep reservoir of athletes who could reach the NFL if the league invested more in coaching and grassroots development, according to remarks he made on the Eagles’ social media platforms.
Bernard, who became the first player drafted directly from the NFL’s International Player Pathway program, offers a blueprint for that potential. Born and raised in Nigeria, he was initially identified through basketball, attended NFL development camps in Africa — including one in Nigeria organized by former NFL defensive end Osi Umenyiora — and earned a spot in the pathway program.
The 6-foot-something defensive tackle caught scouts’ attention with testing that included a 4.63-second 40-yard dash at more than 300 pounds, and the Eagles selected him with the 251st overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Bernard described family as a primary motivator. He grew up in the northeast of Nigeria in a family of six and lost his father a couple of years ago. He said his father’s advice about trusting in God and persevering has driven him to continue pursuing a better life for his relatives.
His mother’s faith in his ability has also been a source of determination, and Bernard said he feels the responsibility of carrying his family’s hopes into his professional career, asking rhetorically what he would tell them if he ever gave up.
Teammate Jordan Mailata has been a frequent point of comparison since Bernard’s selection, but Mailata told reporters during a recent Eagles media availability that the two players’ stories should not be conflated. Mailata praised Bernard’s physical traits during organized team activities, noting exceptional strength and explosiveness — including an instance when Bernard reportedly benched 315 pounds for multiple reps — and called his combination of power and quickness remarkable.
Bernard reiterated his call for the league to create more awareness, coaching and academies in Nigeria, saying greater opportunity could allow Nigerian players to exceed even his own accomplishments.
