“This organization is amazing”: Seyi Oladipo Jr. is proud to be a Rider

Seyi Oladipo Jr. knows how to drum up support.

That was obvious during his time with the Boise State Broncos.

Oladipo Jr., now a first-year member of the Saskatchewan Roughriders, was once the talk of the Bronco Olympics — an annual team-building event that is held on the Boise, Idaho university campus.

“We have a competition in fall camp,” he recalled. “It’s about who can sing our fight song the best. It’s about doing it in elaborate ways, so I decided to go to the marching band and ask them to come and perform for us. They were super-excited.

“Me and the Blue Thunder band are still locked in today. When I get to go back, I’m going to try to perform with them one of these times.”

Oladipo Jr.’s most-recent performance — at strong-side linebacker — helped the Corey Mace-coached Roughriders defeat the Toronto Argonauts 28-24 at Mosaic Stadium on Saturday.

It was the fourth CFL game for Oladipo Jr., and his first as a starter.

“This organization is amazing,” the 6-0, 210-pounder said. “Coach Mace and all our coaches have made this a place that I truly do love.

“Actually, one of my best friends, his dad played here. I was in the barber shop (near the Roughriders’ locker room) and a picture of his dad — Daved Benefield, who played here in 2004 and 2005 — was on the wall. He’s a CFL legend.

“I looked at that and thought, ‘Wow … God really made the puzzle pieces fit.’ ”

Oladipo Jr. — whose first name is pronounced “Shea” — appreciates the influence of his father, Tony, who moved to the United States from Nigeria in 1991.

Tony encouraged his children to become involved in sports, which they did, and Seyi has now progressed to the professional level. As much as he is enjoying his time here, he always knows his room is set aside at home in Centennial, Colo.

“Nigerian culture is all about hospitality — welcoming people into your house,” Oladipo Jr. said. “Even from an early age, I’ve always been drawn toward being friendly and having friends and making sure people never feel like they’re less than anyone else and letting them know that they are empowered.

“We are big on bringing people in and letting them see how we live and helping them bring themselves higher — and even bring myself higher.

“I’ve always believed that iron sharpens iron. You are the average of the five people who you spend the most time with. I like to spend my time around people who want to get better, so when people want to get better, it’s easy to bring them in.”

Oladipo Jr.’s commitment to self-maximization is reflected by his university curriculum. He majored in business administration, with a minor in supply chain management.

After four seasons at Boise State, he signed a futures contract with the Roughriders on Nov. 11 — five days before they won the 2025 Grey Cup Game.