Joshua Ezeudu discusses how he plans to use NFL platform to destigmatize stuttering
Joshua Ezeudu realized his dreams of being drafted into the NFL, as the former North Carolina offensive lineman was selected No. 67 overall by the New York Giants last Friday. Now, his mission is to become a key figure along the Giants offensive line, but he also has big dreams off-field.
Throughout his life, Ezeudu has dealt with a stutter. It could be tough to deal with, especially for a hulking offensive lineman like Ezeudu. Moving forward with the limelight of the NFL shining on him, the former Tar Heels lineman wants to use his platform to destigmatize stuttering.
“I just really want to show them that if you have a stutter, even if you have anything that might not be normal, you can still do whatever you want,” started Ezeudu, during his introductory press conference with the New York media. “If you would’ve asked me ten years ago, would I be here now, I would’ve told you no. Now, ten years from then, I’m here talking to all of you guys.
“I’m trying to be a role model for all the kids who stutter, because I know it can be hard. It can be very tough, but all you have to do is just put your mind to anything you want to, and then actually go and put in the work. Then, everything else will follow.”
As you can see, it’s easy to see why the Giants landed on Ezeudu while looking for high-quality human beings brimming with football potential. Continuing, this isn’t the first time the former North Carolina offensive lineman has mentioned being a role model for anyone who stutters — last December, Ezeudu wrote an article for Newsweek, detailing his affliction.
“One thing I want to say to people who stutter and anyone with any kind of disability, is that you can still do whatever you want,” wrote Ezeudu. “Don’t let anyone’s words or the looks they may give you affect you and your confidence.
“As a kid growing up, I did not come into contact with other people who stuttered. My mom would tell me that a lot of famous people stutter, like President Joe Biden. She would tell me that I could still do whatever I wanted to do and I would take that in but it was still hard. All I want is for young kids to see me, someone who is not much older than them, achieving all this and feel that they can also do whatever they want.
“If you had asked me 10 years ago to say where I’d be now, I would not have said that I’d be a college football player. So, if any kids need someone to look up to, they can look up to me.”
Josh Ezeudu has lofty football goals, but he also has some special missions to accomplish off the field. There’s no reason to believe the former North Carolina offensive lineman won’t accomplish both.