GREEN BAY – A little more than a year ago, Kenneth Odumegwu left his native country of Nigeria to seize a once-in-a-lifetime NFL opportunity with the Packers.
On Saturday, the 23-year-old defensive end showed his father and namesake what he's been up to.
Making his first trip to Green Bay from his home in Norway, the elder Odumegwu was among the more than 60,000 attendees at the Packers' annual Family Night practice.
While Kenneth Sr. might not have comprehended everything he saw during the two-hour practice, it didn't matter. His son was out there, living a dream, in one of the most iconic sports venues in the world.
"He's a proud dad," said Kenneth Jr. afterward. "I don't think there's no dad in the world who's more proud than him right now. Everything about Green Bay has been a blessing."
The younger Odumegwu has become a beloved member of the Packers' locker room in a relatively short period of time, whether it's been through playing video games or taking driving lessons with former Green Bay cornerback Rasul Douglas.
Professionally, Odumegwu has fully dedicated himself to not only learning the game of football but also developing his tools as a pass rusher.
The 6-foot-6, 259-pound defensive lineman spent the past year on Green Bay's practice squad as an international-player exemption, working closely with position coach Jason Rebrovich while absorbing everything veterans Preston Smith and Rashan Gary have to say.
On Family Night, Odumegwu had the chance to show his father everything he's learned.
"To be able to play in front of his family is a great thing," said Smith, who met Odumegwu's dad after Saturday's practice. "Just being able to go from where he's come from and where he's at now … you can see his progression in two years of not knowing football and not playing football to now and getting so much football in his belly, and playing on the biggest stage at the biggest level and the best stadium you could play in. It's great."
Odumegwu said he tried to get his mother to Family Night as well but ran into visa issues. He's hopeful she'll be able to attend a game later this season.
The young defensive end still showed out for his father and his friends, though. Odumegwu's biggest moment came during the live-tackling period late in practice when he stuffed Packers running back and close friend Jarveon Howard on an inside run for a 4-yard loss.
Afterwards, Odumegwu Sr. joined his son on the field to watch the post-practice fireworks show.
"Obviously, you gotta put something out for your family. You gotta make your family proud," Odumegwu said. "You gotta make your family point and say, 'Oh, that's my boy.' I didn't let that overwhelm me, though."
Odumegwu said he felt more relaxed during this year's Family Night, even dancing at times. It runs in stark contrast to last August when he was a nervous rookie practicing in front of 60,000 people after only beginning to play the sport a few months prior.
With more experience comes higher expectations. As the Packers begin preparations for Saturday's preseason opener in Cleveland, Odumegwu is holding himself to a higher standard this summer.
The tackle for a loss was nice, but Odumegwu would love nothing more than to get his first sack. After suiting up in front of his father on Family Night, Odumegwu is more motivated than ever to keep growing.
"It's an amazing feeling," Odumegwu said. "He was so happy to see me play. He's like, 'I'm proud of you. You did something (special).' He's very happy. He didn't understand what was going on, but I don't mind. He was there to see me."
