Former NFL player Isaiah Stanback says he is exploring ways to invest in Ghana’s youth through a multi-sport academy following a personal visit to trace his ancestral roots.

Stanback and his wife travelled to Ghana after completing a genealogy test that revealed his roots trace back to the West African nation.

The trip, he said, was inspired by a desire to reconnect with heritage and explore opportunities to invest in Ghanaian youth.

“The visit has been awesome,” he told JoySports.

“My wife and I did my genealogy and saw that my origins were here in Ghana, and I wanted to take a trip. I have a friend, Linda, who’s from here, and she invited me to come down.”

During his visit, Stanback engaged with a cross-section of Ghanaian society—from government officials to tribal leaders and community influencers. But his purpose extended beyond cultural curiosity. He came with the hope of listening, learning, and eventually launching a sports academy to develop and empower young people through sports.

“I wanted to come, listen and learn,” he said.

“I didn’t want to push out my own ideas. I wanted to hear from the community, hear from the government, and understand the heartbeat of the country. That’s the only way I could figure out how my expertise—and those of others I know—can best serve the people.”

The 42-year-old, who has competed at the highest levels of American football, believes the foundational qualities of sport—discipline, passion, teamwork—can open new doors for Ghanaian youth.

While acknowledging Ghana’s passion for football (soccer) and track and field, he wants to expand the scope of opportunity by introducing lesser-known sports like American flag football, which will make its debut at the Olympics in 2028.

“Ghanaians already have the passion and athleticism,” he noted.

“But those same characteristics can be translated into other sports. For instance, American flag football is coming up in the Olympics. That’s an opportunity to build talents that already exist here, and develop them through a structured sports academy—combining mentorship, athleticism, and exposure.”

He said his vision is to create a multi-disciplinary space where youth can discover and grow their abilities, particularly those who may not currently have access to such opportunities.

“I’ve seen the kids in the communities, I’ve spoken to leaders and seen what the barriers to entry are. There are millions of young people who just need mentorship and guidance to unlock their potential,” he said.

"It’s not just about producing athletes. It’s about giving them tools for life—discipline, confidence, global exposure, and a chance to dream bigger.”