How Godwin Igwebuike, Falcons Found Each Other - And Preseason Stardom

In his own words, running back Godwin Igwebuike's path has been "anything but the ordinary" - but it's led him to an opportunity to make the Atlanta Falcons roster out of training camp, and his strong showing in the preseason opener only helped his chances of making Flowery Branch more than a month-long home.

Atlanta Falcons running back Godwin Igwebuike bolted right, took the handoff and cut to his left, finding an open alley way to the endzone.

Touchdown, Falcons.

It was Atlanta's first score of the preseason and lone offensive touchdown during Friday night's 19-3 victory over the Miami Dolphins but meant much more than that to Igwebuike.

Once stopped in the back of the endzone, Igwebuike opened his arms and looked into the stands before being mobbed by his teammates, taking in every second of the moment.

To some, it was just another play - but for Igwebuike, who was unsigned and staring down a season away from football prior to joining the Falcons on Jul. 30, the touchdown was a loud step towards claiming a roster spot this fall ... and a feel-good lesson of patience and perspective.

"I was at the crib about two weeks ago," Igwebuike said. "It’s funny how quickly things can change. So, just grateful for the opportunity and of course getting the opportunity to get out there and help our team win. That’s what means the world.”

So, how did Igwebuike land in Atlanta? What changed to give him the opportunity to shine in training camp and score the Falcons' first touchdown in this ever-optimistic preseason?

This particular chapter of Igwebuike's story, which he noted has "always been the long way; never straight and narrow," started long before he actually signed his contract.

Igwebuike noted he was in Flowery Branch for a tryout months earlier, and the Falcons had "shown some interest" thereafter. As a result, the 28-year-old knew the call may come and stayed ready for it, as much mentally as physically.

Falcons coach Arthur Smith shared that Igwebuike remained on the team's radar after his first workout, and that call eventually came, which excited Igwebuike - but his initial conversations weren't exactly what he was anticipating.

"It was moreso just, 'we want you to come up for a tryout,'" Igwebuike told SI's Falcon Report. "I've done a couple of tryouts at this point, so you just never know when it comes to those opportunities."

So, Igwebuike returned to Flowery Branch and impressed in a workout in which he shared the field with seven other hopefuls. Of the group, he was the only one to sign, and joined the Falcons at camp on the final day of July.

Thus far, Atlanta's been a revelation for Igwebuike, starting at the top with coach Arthur Smith, spreading to running backs coach Michael Pitre and culminating in a locker room that's ego-free and fully bought in.

"There’s not many better places that I’ve been to be able to just shine and compete and kind of hold that high standard that the room has,” Igwebuike said.

As such, the Pickerington, Oh., native quickly felt at home in Atlanta, offering a notable changeup to his prior stints with the San Francisco 49ers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Philadelphia Eagles, New York Jets, Detroit Lions and Seattle Seahawks.

Better yet, Igwebuike, who started his professional career as a safety before transitioning to running back, has left a strong early mark on the Falcons' coaching staff that he views so highly.

Pitre has walked away a positive impression of the player he calls "G," joking that he's not even bothering with the potential for a mispronunciation, something Smith echoed on Friday night.

But lengthy, vowel-filled last name aside, Pitre noted there were things that needed to be cleaned up for the late-arriving Igwebuike, starting with some of the techniques and lingo he learned at his prior stops, and the manner in which he improved upon those left the Falcons' second-year running backs coach quite pleased.

"He's a smart, smart football player," Pitre told SI's Falcon Report. "You can tell he's a vet who's been in this league. He's done some really good things and he's going to be a good addition to this football team."

Igwebuike's value goes beyond his offensive output, as he's also an established presence as a kick returner - in 2021 with Detroit, he returned 28 kicks for an average of just under 25 yards. Last year, he averaged 28 yards per return with a long of 50, consistently producing strong efforts.

The former Northwestern standout returned one kick for 24 yards against Miami, pairing with his solid game on the ground - 13 carries for 70 yards - to put him in a good position entering Atlanta's second preseason game on Friday against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Beyond the stat line, Igwebuike impressed Smith with his nuance as a runner, working downhill in wide zone and pressing the line of scrimmage and hitting his cuts in some of Atlanta's gap scheme runs.

Thereafter, Smith praised the Falcons' scouting staff for finding Igwebuike while resonating with what the 6-0, 212-pounder said previously - after spending the summer at home, getting the chance to play is truly appreciated ... and he's not letting it slip.

“He’s a guy that’s been out there and thankful to get another opportunity to try and take advantage of it," Smith said. "He's a smart, tough guy; he really hit the hole hard (against Miami). He’s a good special teams player, another guy we’re thankful to have. ... A smart, tough player.”

Ultimately, it's only fitting that Igwebuike has rapidly ascended throughout camp when considering he's been forced to adjust his entire career - the Falcons are his seventh professional team in just over five years, having played with five other NFL organizations and the XFL's Seattle Sea Dragons.

When Igwebuike entered the league, he was a part of the safety class that included current Falcons defenders Jessie Bates III and Tre Flowers. He made the sport's highest level at one position and switched to the other side of the ball just two weeks before camp in 2021 and made it through three rounds of cuts, ultimately playing all 17 games.

Adaptability has long been the name of the game for Igwebuike, who focuses on having a positive mindset with how he attacks his day-to-day responsibilities and remaining prepared for whenever his number is called.

And whether that's literal or figurative - be it his jersey or phone number - he's proven to the Falcons that he's wired to capitalize on, regardless of the position or circumstance he's thrown into.

"That’s what this league is about," Igwebuike said. "It might not be what you necessarily want it to be at the moment, but it’s taking advantage of your role at the time, and you never know how things unravel.”

It's still early - after all, Igwebuike's only been a Falcon for two weeks - but thus far, he's certainly achieved what he set out to do: earn an opportunity and seize the moment.

Igwebuike's twisting path feels like it's never-ending ... but for seven months, it did, with uncertainty building in regard to whether he'd play another snap in the NFL. It's given him great perspective, something that's helped morph his daily process and aided his strong start in Atlanta.

But most of all, Igwebuike feels at home - with life, football and his career arc, starting with his self-centered focus and intent to control what he can control.

"You look back at my career, it's anything but the ordinary," Igwebuike said. "I stopped guessing a long time ago. Wake up and see what the day has for me at this point."

And while his journey has never been predictable, Igwebuike's currently trending positively to make the Falcons' roster out of camp ... and maybe, finally, stick around long enough for his coaches to learn his last name.

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You can follow Daniel Flick on Twitter @ByDanielFlick

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