Emeka Egbuka, the Ohio State star and national champion, recently spoke about something more personal than football. Amid the buzz of the NFL Combine, he shared the stories etched into his skin. His tattoos aren’t just art. They’re a map of his life, faith, and family.
Emeka Egbuka and His Hand Full of Stories
Recently, Egbuka appeared in an interview for the NFL, where he shared the stories behind his tattoos. His first tattoo is a lion wearing a crown, a nod to his dad’s lion tattoo on his shoulder. There’s also another tattoo hidden in the armpit area of his hand: a lamb crowned with thorns.
.@ohiostatefb National Champion Emeka Egbuka shares the inspiration behind his tattoos 🔥
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He explains it as a reflection of his faith: “Jesus is the lion of Judah, but also the lamb who sacrificed everything. “The duality captures what matters most to him.
His siblings get their tributes, too. A rhino stands for his little brother, Kena, a quiet kid with a tough edge. Then there’s a lioness for his fierce, competitive sister, Eva. He’s already planning for his newest sister, Zana, who is just three months old. “Her name starts with a Z, so maybe a zebra,” he said, keeping the African theme alive.
Around the wrist area, Egbuka has a Tree of Life that completes his Africa-themed sleeve of tattoos. Around the chest area, he honors his roots with a design of Seattle and Washington State, where he grew up. A cross sits at the center, tying his hometown to his beliefs.
Egbuka’s journey to the NFL Combine is impressive. He’s a standout slot receiver who recently appeared in various interviews, fielding questions from teams and media alike. In one of the interviews, he shared how his hometown and two coaches from Steilacoom High School shaped him into what he is today, which is why he keeps his hometown near his heart.
“Greg Herd is one of my closest friends,” Egbuka says, his face lighting up. Herd coached him as a sophomore, passing down wisdom from his days as a star wide receiver at Eastern Washington. “I was in eighth grade when we met,” Egbuka recalls. “He gave me everything he knew about the position.”
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That mentorship paid off. Egbuka became Washington’s Gatorade Player of the Year, leadingSteilacoom to a state runner-up finish. Now, he’s on the cusp of the NFL, following in the footsteps of Ohio State greats like Marvin Harrison Jr. and Garrett Wilson.
Egbuka chose Ohio State for its challenges. He joined a receiver room with talent, names like Chris Olave and Jaxon Smith-Njigba. “I wanted to grow fast,” he says. “That’s why I left home.” His tattoos tell that story, too, a blend of where he’s been and who he’s becoming. Each mark is a reminder of family, faith, and the people who got him here.
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