Christian Okoye
Okoye in Iraq, 2006
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| No. 35 | |||||||||
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| Position: | Fullback | ||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||
| Date of birth: | August 16, 1961 | ||||||||
| Place of birth: | Enugu, Nigeria | ||||||||
| Height: | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | ||||||||
| Weight: | 253 lb (115 kg) | ||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||
| College: | Azusa Pacific | ||||||||
| NFL Draft: | 1987 / Round: 2 / Pick: 35 | ||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||
| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||
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| Rushing yards: | 4,897 |
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| Average: | 3.9 |
| Touchdowns: | 40 |
| Player stats at NFL.com | |
Christian Emeka Okoye (/oʊˈkɔɪeɪ/; born August 16, 1961), is a Nigerian-American former American football fullback for the Kansas City Chiefs from 1987 to 1992. Nicknamed "The Nigerian Nightmare," Okoye was known for his powerful running style and ability to break tackles. Okoye's six seasons in the NFL saw a league rushing title in 1989, two Pro Bowl appearances (1989, 1991), and three playoff appearances. He voluntarily ended his NFL career due to multiple injuries.
A member of the Igbo ethnic group, Okoye was born in Enugu, Nigeria and did not play American football until 1984, when he joined the squad at California's Azusa Pacific University. He excelled in track and field, winning seven college titles in the shotput, discus, and hammer throw. The first time he attended an American football game he thought the game was boring.
After the Nigerian government failed to select Okoye for the Olympics, he sought something else to do besides track and field and went out for American football. Initially, Okoye did not enjoy the roughness of football and thought about quitting but friends convinced him to continue playing. His speed was unusual for someone his size (6'1" and 260 lb), and this rare combination of talents led to his selection in the second round of the 1987 NFL Draft by the Kansas City Chiefs.
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