He Didn’t Play Football Until Age 23… then Became the NFL’s Most Intimidating Player

[@KTOfootball]

I have one story to help add to how incredible Okoye's rise to stardom was. I played runningback in high school and we had an African refugee join the varsity football team as a Senior. With almost no understanding of the game, coach put him with us runningbacks and I took on the roll of trying to help him learn. He barely spoke any English. Man… trying to teach him the basics was a challenge. With a language barrier and all the little nuances of football, that kid didn't stand a chance. Running reps at full speed in practice almost always resulted in coaches stopping the play and trying to explain to him what to do. If I remember correctly, he only got a handful of snaps the entire season and the plays called were simple dives and blasts. He was a really nice guy, but it's tough to learn a new sport in a few months. Especially when that sport is football at the high school varsity level. The fact that Christian Okoye didn't play a down of organized football until he was 23, and then quickly achieved the success he did is truly remarkable.

[@mrnicegaming1417]

Hi kto

[@colinbrett4983]

Yo

[@tantheman8229]

@KTO The Nigerian nightmare! How do you think he compares to mike alstott?

[@pjw-]

@@tantheman8229 both are legends, but i feel like okoye was more dominant during his career

[@platinumdiamond7]

KTO when you referenced Tecmo Super Bowl there were 28 teams in that game all the current teams. You meant the original Tecmo Bowl where K.C wasn't in. still a solid vid tho

[@mikeybarboza3086]

I played rb from the age of 8 through middle and high school and division 1 college at UMass and the fact that this man led the NFL in rushing without knowing the difference between a 4-3 and a 3-4 defense is absolutely insane. Depending on the defense the plays and holes that are schemed open are completely different or where cut backs should be. It's literally insane he was able to do what he was able to do. If he had played as an amateur he would've been even more insane. My father used to show me film of Okoye and tell me if you're not going to be a speed back (bc I was chunky as a kid) this is what I needed to be when I first started little league in 95'

[@grimtea1715]

When did you go to UMass?

[@wrenstark6320]

@@grimtea1715 if he was in little league in 95’ I’d guess around the late 2000s/ early 2010s

[@grimtea1715]

@@wrenstark6320 ah shit that does sound about right

[@Gulag00]

@@wrenstark6320 I’m gonna assume he’s born in ‘87 so it would prob be 05-09

[@userknonothing]

O yea, Umass....cool. Me too, waterboy

[@lastsinnersa8002]

A great example of genetics/natural talent being only part of the package. His willingness to continually learn and not take his opportunity for granted is what really set him apart.

[@slappyhappy6192]

No His genetics did it all

[@tigermachine6471]

He seems like a great person too, humble all the way from beginning to end. Size,power,& a smile! Winning combination!

[@F-Tier_Physique]

That and very lenient drug testing protocols in the NFL.

[@CG-xx2er]

@@slappyhappy6192 definitely not, people use that as en excuse

[@michaelsandoval9930]

@@slappyhappy6192 k

[@OGDeepStroke]

Steve Atwater. 6’3 and 220 lbs. 1,000 solo tackles. 8 Pro Bowls and 2 Super Bowl Rings. A force.

[@WhitePOWERranger1]

Hello fellow Hog fan!

[@vince01lp]

And Hall of Famer!

[@ACLA23]

Yeah he mentioned he was smaller than okoyr but didn’t mention Atwater was massive for his position

[@Dutchovenderlinde]

One of my top 5 Broncos of all time. He actually knocked out three guys (including himself) in one play in Super Bowl XXXII. Just insane.

[@samuel_shemire]

He didn't end okoye with that hit tho. Okoye second best season was the next year after that hit.

[@trumpetperson11]

Honestly, I imagine that his past led to why he was always a humble player and accepting of coaching. Its easy to see how some nfl players can be pretty headstrong, when you think about how, at pretty much any point of their life up until NFL, they have been the best at what they do. Likely the best player on their HS team, the best player in their position in college, and further ego bolstered by a NFL draft selection. Okoye knew he had the protentional, and was lacking the game knowledge, so he listened to his coaches and never took his physical skills for granted. Now he seems like a really chill guy, and I have a feeling that not getting gassed up as a kid probably helped with that.

[@thenextsteveblackman]

I loved playing as the Chiefs in Tecmo Super Bowl. Choose a run play for Okoye and watch would be tacklers bounce of him like ping pong balls.

[@madmanszalinski]

Against the colts or patriots when he's in excellent condition and nobody on either defense has enough stats to stop him

[@jameslookstwice]

I said the same things lol great game

[@DMBlade4]

Then you turn on the game and watch him actually do that to human beings

[@Giantsfanlewis]

​@@DMBlade4 though sadly you didn't though because he was Belo average 2/3rds of his entire career.

[@BlvdTodd]

FAKZ. 💯

[@ManSittinNext2DaMan]

Let's not forget the incredible backfield duo the Chiefs had with Okoye and Barry Word. NOBODY wanted to tackle either one of those guys.

[@Redmenace96]

Excellent comment.

[@Boundariesarekey]

Steve Atwater would beg to differ with you, he embarrassed Okoye and knocked him backward on his butt on Monday night football.

[@poindextertunes]

I was born in ‘86 and have been a Chiefs fan my entire life. Okoye’s oversized shoulder pads are some of my earliest memories of watching football. Great intro to the sport

[@scizorbullet8185]

Christian is very important to NFL history. He was the OG international icon in the NFL now the NFL is trying i hard to expand and I believe its because of his success

[@samuel_shemire]

yh, just like hakeem olajuwon was to basketball in at least Nigeria, nott really sure about Africa.

[@unkledoda420]

so you think the NFL trying to expand now is because of a RB from 30-35 years ago?

[@poindextertunes]

@@unkledoda420 way to completely miss the point 🤡

[@mrdesertfox1966]

@@unkledoda420 Biggest highlight is the "NFLs most intimidating player" getting smacked by a safety 30 lbs lighter than him. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@mtb416]

Why would he come here? I can’t imagine how terribly racist the US was back then, let alone now! And to think he got an education and was welcomed with opened arms?! Racists everywhere, I tell you!

[@Squirrelbait98]

I had the privilege to meet this great man a year back and I can not believe how nice this man was(I’m not even a chiefs fan but I love the dude)

[@david.tousignant20]

People who started late then became pro athletes like Okoye are super rare! The only other man I remember starting in his mid 20s, then becoming a prolific athlete is Rocky Marciano. Great video as always.

[@upliftedxgod7701]

Dennis Rodman too

[@david.tousignant20]

@@upliftedxgod7701 Rodman gave up basketball after he graduated HS; then, he decided to came back after his sudden growth spurt. Rodman qualified for an other category. Players who became relevant after a growth spurt like McCallum.

[@FTO9797]

@@david.tousignant20 u mean cj McCollum?

[@poindextertunes]

definitely no the “only other” but ok

[@david.tousignant20]

@@poindextertunes "I"

[@GrantOakes]

I'm a Broncos fan and I hated him, but Okoye as a person and an athlete, you have to love him!

[@jakestocker4854]

It's alright, we get to enjoy that career ending hit from Atwater. Dude was never the same after.

[@marshmangunnar9150]

Smiling Assassin!!! That was great

[@lawschoolpro]

Right! Respect.

[@GrantOakes]

@@marshmangunnar9150 You must be a Broncos fan because no one else would know Atwater had that nickname.

[@loadedwinchester2494]

@@GrantOakes bet Christian knows it

[@nistral]

cannot imagine how scary seeing this man running at you with his shoulder lowered must have been

[@clayjohnson5812]

The redskins wasn't scared of him.They was popping the shit out of him.They broke the shit out his big ass.

[@FarEastCarl]

he’s in the end-zone celebrating with the o-line and you can’t tell who’s who. Few humans are built like him

[@JahNuhThunDeeTheOneAndOnly]

In all of these stories, two constants are present: hard work and determination.

[@taylor6618]

And being gifted with great genetics.

[@futtile2995]

@@taylor6618 and steroids

[@SuccessUzoma-q3t]

​@taylor6618 You always have to discredit Black people everything. Shame

[@user-nd7rd8jo6h]

Okoye: " 3-4? 4-3? Both equal 7 to me "

[@logicallgaming]

Okoye really is like the best comp for derrick Henry. The way they play and their style is the exact same.

[@jgrizzy]

Huh??? Henry plays SOFT compared to the NN.... yall need to stop Henry plays soft..mainly stiff arms

[@AI-mg3hy]

My dad has always been a Seahawks fan, so when Dave Krieg moved to KC we watched the Chiefs games that year too. Watching Okoye is one of the reasons I became a Chiefs fan, along with Derrick Thomas and Neil Smith. The next year Okoye was gone and I was young enough to not really wonder what happened and distracted by Joe frickin Montana so I hadn't thought much about him until now. Thanks for filling us in!

[@yellow8412]

Smh bruh u should’ve been a hawks fan

[@AI-mg3hy]

@@yellow8412 bro I am and it's already hard when they play each other but not as hard when they were both in afc west

[@yellow8412]

@@AI-mg3hy oh ur a fan of both yeah I hate when the hawks play the chiefs too… not bc I’m a Chiefs fan just bc the hawks always lose😂

[@poindextertunes]

gawd i wish okoye had a chance to play with Montana

[@Redmenace96]

Not as young as you, but when I saw him run? I became a Chiefs fan.

[@drewberrynews3875]

This guy was so fun to watch. His presence on the field changed the dynamic of the game. It's rare any more we see guys like Bettis, Alstot or Okoye. This guy had such raw tallent.

[@thomasstafford8732]

Ooook now we talking. I was hoping someone would mention my boy Jerome “the bus” Bettis. Mike Allstot was a beast also. More semi-modern day but nonetheless savages in their own right ya know…

[@Redmenace96]

Not rare. Extinct. I don't know if NFL offense may swing the other way, but the age of the FB is over. 30 carries was big load in the 80's, but happened most weeks. Now? 18 carries is considered a hero.

[@kanone_69]

Atwater was so lucky on that play. Okoye was off of his feet. Great timing lol

[@conorlauren]

One of the things about Okoye: I have never ever ever heard anybody who knew him say anything bad about him. He had that season where he was struggling and was brutalized by a public who did not know that his child died an hour after being born just prior to training camp. I’m a Raider through and through but Okoye is in my Top Ten favorite players of all time. I hated him. For all the right reasons. Because I love that man.

[@MrWaifuTaker]

Okoye's a monster running back. I read that Kwazi Mbutabe from the Blitz: The League Duology is based off Okoye as well.

[@Pranaynaynay]

Watched the rerun of his 'A Football Life' episode a few weeks back. Such a cool story

[@latinaries35]

I remember that tackle by Steve Atwater! If I recall it was during a Monday Night Game which for me MNF was a religion. I was stunned :0

[@vesubioromo9425]

Great production as always, man. I watched Okoye in his heyday but never knew the backstory. And I remember that Atwater hit. Blew me away. Looking at him in these clips I'm struck by how smilar his play was to Hershal Walker. Speed, build, toughness. Everything.

[@majorhemroid]

I remember Okoye when he played for the Chiefs. (Raiders fan at the time.) Watching him run was fun. It was like rooting for Barry Sanders. You knew something crazy could happen any second.

[@chefmarcos]

Raiders fan “at the time”… wtf you are for life or not at all sucka!

[@johnblaze5252]

He had a backfield mate that was very scary in Barry Word. Barry Word was no joke & @ times was equally as scary.

[@jamesjoseph1249]

The late-80s/early-90s was a heck of a time to be a kid growing up in KC. I got to watch superfreak athletes Bo Jackson (playing on both the Royals and twice a year against the Chiefs) and Okoye. It really made you believe that Superman lived nearby.

[@NotKamalasBich]

He was a beast. What I remember of Okoye was him running over people, being a good person and when he was moving he could hardly slow himself down.

[@imthakrazy1706]

I’m 17 so I never got to see him play but how I discovered him was playing tecmo bowl with my dad at age 5. I was addicted to playing with the chiefs because he was a beast on there.

[@thomasstafford8732]

Respect! Big props to your pops going old school with Tecmo Bowl and keeping it alive with the younger generation….

[@82dorrin]

As a Broncos fan, my favorite memory of Christian Okoye is when Steve Atwater obliterated him.

[@ericfriendzoned1303]

As a chiefs fan.... 13-0 win streak against your Broncos 😂

[@leonvalentine3748]

@@ericfriendzoned1303 Savage

[@Giantsfanlewis]

​@@ericfriendzoned1303 as an outside giants fan, the broncos have had way more success in the post season than the cheifs. soooooo....

[@ericfriendzoned1303]

@@Giantsfanlewis like going after a 30+ yo QB who will most likely be 4th best in the division after Mahomes, Herbert and a Revengful Carr?

[@playboy2g216]

@@Giantsfanlewis You're right, they've lost 5 Super Bowls

[@thenumberquelve158]

That one hit is what pushed Steve Atwater over the top and into the Hall of Fame. Still took him quite a while to get in, but he is in. Okoye's such an interesting story. Hard to call such an absolute genetic beast a fairy tale, but in many ways that's exactly what his football life is. And he clearly never let it go to his head, judging by his post-football activities. I wish we had an explanation for why the Nigerian Olympic team did not select him. Oh well, like you said, it's a blessing in disguise; he was going to be a Nigerian national hero anyway, but now he gets to be a Nigerian national hero AND gain a ton of fans in the USA as well!

[@billkammermeier]

Ryan Clark on Willis McGahee was a bigger Safety on RB hit. That hit was unreal. You should do a video on that

[@thomasstafford8732]

My hats off to Okoye. He was indeed a beast and able to do some pretty amazing stuff for the overall total time that he played football. A lotta ppl are hating on him and trying to compare him and other great players of that era with todays players. Kinda feel like I have to mention that YES the modern NFL has some great athletes HOWEVER the NFL of today IS NOT and WILL NOT EVER be the same. I’d even go as far to argue or debate that a lot (not all but a good bit) of the players from the modern NFL era would even be able to play in that bygone era of professional football. Especially post CTE NFL period. Those earlier players were something fierce in general hell the league wasn’t even of the same caliber if that makes sense. Only my opinion though…

[@BoutTime73]

Growing up a Chiefs fan, and watching when he played, the Nigerian Nightmare is still a favorite.

[@xXNjxSniPeZXx]

On a side note, studying his brain is going to be a huge opportunity to research CTE. Either way it’s gonna cause a shockwave. If he has none it’s probably due to his late start and kids football might change drastically. If he does show signs, it’ll show how little time it takes playing football to develop CTE and make all ages second guess playing.

[@RenegadeLK]

He is built like an offensive lineman but runs as fast as a wr.

[@ruckdafaiders]

He was good. I remember the game he was never the same after Shawne Merriman tackled Okoye for a loss. Merriman surprised him in the backfield, caught him off guard and popped Okoye real hard. He was never the same back again after that.

[@adspur]

He made his mark for sure.Pleasantly surprised to see this video on Christian.He was something else for sure

[@abelowaverage13yearoldamer42]

Imagine what he would have been able to do if he played football his whole life

[@breezy3054]

Who knows. Could’ve been a blessing he learned late. Running backs don’t have a long shelf life

[@IrishNewsRantBastard]

Or he could have actually learned to catch and been an equally dominant WR

[@YOSSARIAN313]

@@IrishNewsRantBastard he has the speed for a receiver and good height. Imagining a corner trying to tackle that man at full speed would be insane. In modern cfb they probably would have coached him into a terrifying linebacker

[@thomasstafford8732]

@@YOSSARIAN313 Woulda loved seeing him play as a linebacker. Maaan talk about SICK!!!!!!!

[@justindececco5836]

That kind of sht has got to totally humble all the pros that spent their whooooole life trying to get to the top...this dude just walks in & is like "meh,I'll try it"....& literally crushes it WOW!!!

[@mrdgenerate]

Okoye not knowing the difference between 3-4 and 4-3 until after leading the league in rushing yards was like Ty Detmer having to tell Favre that the difference between nickel and dime defense after being a star QB already.

[@shawnlowry5834]

Loved watching him play when I was younger and did not know his history. Thanks for sharing.

[@stickfigureproducts]

Christian Okoye 100% deserves a gold jacket. He has similar stats to gale sayers.. except he didn't play football until college after getting kicked out of the Olympics due to politics... He also had a language and cultural barrier. He also helped many foreign players get their foot in the door

[@Reason1717]

KC fan here. Christian was a much loved monster. And the Atwater hit on Okoye was the fabric of Legend. Thank you was making this video sir :)

[@D0ugh.B0y]

From Azusa Pacific University. He was an absolute legend? He immediately became known as the “Nigerian Nightmare.” That was, of course, until Steve Atwater came along. But as physically capable he was, he was just as intellectually capable. Great guy and an overall great team mate as well. He had a great heart!

[@megabotvideos]

“I wanna do whatever that guy is doing.” LMAO😂

[@Coolbowser829]

I didn't know anything about this story. Wow! KTO with another banger of an upload 🔥

[@beezer5623]

injuries happen, to bad he didn't start at 21 in the NFL. He had HOF written all over him. He was talented enough to lead the league in rushing or be at the top. He had name recognition and the rep of being bigger than anyone at the position. The nickname, OMG, one of the best nicknames ever!! But he is also a really great person. Stats etc... is the most important but this man had it all. Im a Giants fan but if the Chiefs were on TV, he made you want to flip the channel when KC had the ball. Such a fun player to watch.

[@mrj3217]

He was fresh when he entered the NFL. That helped a lot.

[@crashburn3292]

The sound waves of the 1990 Christian Okoye/Steve Atwater collision can still be heard reverberatng in space to this day.

[@nickh4363]

Your videos are always amazing man. And the outro is becoming iconic 🔥

[@reidcraig3739]

You are right about Azusa Pacific, they were NAIA when Okoye was there, however they became an D2 in 2011-12. Also Azusa dropped their program in 2020 due to financial reasons.

[@MrBsailor]

That hit truly made Atwater a hall of gamer. That hit happened just when the chiefs picked up another bruising rb in Barry Word who had a thousand yards of his own in 1990

[@danielvasquez3758]

Never heard of him until now!! Glad for you to cover all of these little known gems!!!

[@Cody435]

I wouldn't call okeye a little known gem

[@robdavis4951]

Bruhhhhh

[@exdemocrat9038]

Fantastic video. Thank you for sharing. I loved that era because of players like Okoye & Bo Jackson.

[@pushing2throttles]

I remember him. What a great running back. I remember "the hit" between him and atwater of the broncos. 💥

[@marshmangunnar9150]

I still remember when "The Smiling Assassin" knocked him backwards. But loved watching Okoye play

[@geoffa87]

You can play as Okoye in Tecmo Super Bowl (Kansas City) and he's so strong he just creates popcorn out of the defense.

[@paulbuschman]

I knew a guy named Stacey Andrew’s who played 8 years in the NFL but only played one year of college football at Ole Miss. Like Okoye he was a discus thrower. That’s how I knew him as I threw the discus against him in college. The difference between him and Okoye was he did play high school football.

[@chumchum3803]

My dad played o line at la tech in the 90s and has always been an avid chiefs fan. Despite seeing a lot of the chiefs amazing and hof players over the years, he has never praised anyone more than christian okoye. He rlly made a mark on Kansas City and his nickname is badass af.

[@robertmartinjr.6292]

As a Raiders fan I can attest The Nigerian Night was a beast. This was the era of the big back attack. Bo Jackson with the Then L.A. Raiders Marion Butts with the then San Diego Chargers.

[@DiamondDave1]

Guy played 6 years and only have over 1k yards in two seasons. This was an era in which running the ball was the primary offensive weapon. Great video to make the guy seem like someone he was not

[@donatta1857]

Enemy of progress

[@Packerfan5827]

He should’ve won a super bowl

[@spyderwebb3264]

The Nigerian Nightmare was one of the coolest nicknames in football history 💪🏾👊🏾

[@B0RRAC0]

The Steve Atwater hit and the Gary Reasons hit were the two best I've ever seen!!! Ahh yes, when football was football!!! 😁👍🏼

[@krisgordon3116]

This is what coaches want in a player. He was a physical beast and a guy who would Listen to coaches and just a Genuinely nice Human Being!

[@squatch545]

"Why juke when you can go straight ahead" Lol...

[@jasonvaillancourt2724]

He was a beast !!!!! Dang 260 & running a 4.38 wow recievers don't even run that.. Amazing 👏

[@stop....hammertime]

I had that exact same poster, when I was in 7th & 8th grade. I was in foster care, and it got destroyed in one of my moves. I loved that thing. Made my wall awesome 😂

[@LostInOhio75]

Wow. I had chills thinking back to my childhood & "Marty Ball". I don't know if we'll ever see that style of offense again but it was really something whether it was the Browns or Chiefs.

[@jliller]

Blessed with ability and intelligence, but most importantly he had the right attitude.

[@meccuno]

My Nigerian Igbo Brother. This guy was a beast. wow!!!! 😮😮😮😮

[@idontgivetkachuk]

The perfect time to go on break haha! Great video!!

[@jasonbass7116]

As a kid growing up in KC that is when I started watching football.

[@matrix2030x]

i always played with KC on tecmo bowl...Akoye and Derrick Thomas were unstoppable

[@davidunoi7099]

Now do one for Jordan Mailata, the giant 6"8 LT for the Eagles. Entering the freakin NFL knowing nothing other than seeing it on TV somewhere in his homeland of Australia.

[@YourWaterBoii]

What a god damn wholesome video. I appreciate you.

[@Primespider44]

Hope things are well brotha! Keep killing it. Always excited for your in depth take on things I knew nothing about ❤️

[@paulbuschman]

He was the first Nigerian Okoye former discus thrower to play in the NFL, but not the last. There was also Lawrence Okoye who was also a former discus thrower who played in the NFL.

[@lareh5501]

Christian Okoye and Barry Word in the backfield were probably amongst the most physically punishing duos NFL defenses had seen.

[@Boss3Nate]

Absolute beast in Super Tecmo Bowl... him and Barry Word were unstoppable

[@Gjoshfreeman]

This guy is a legend..... 35# was a beast..... Shout to KTD love ya channel

[@dblyolk3535]

Everybody talks about Bo Jackson in Tecmo Super Bowl but Okoye was a beast too, a lil slow but with 90-100 bucking skills the defense would fly off him

[@BroadswordMedia]

Wow! I've heard of this guy but honestly I did not know much about him until now and I'm so glad I saw this because wow this man is amazing! It's nice to see that he's such a happy fellow too

[@un11verse11]

Had never heard of this guy, what an amazing story

[@fitznutz]

Thank you for this post I became a CHIEFS fan living in Massachusetts because of Christian Okoye and still am to this Day. I have tons of His memorabilia.

[@Jason-cf1xn]

Damn. I grew up watching this dude play. I loved him, he was such a dominant back. But I had no idea that he had never even touched a football until he was 23. Crazy shit man. That even adds more depth to the legend IMO

[@galvanizedgnome]

i'm 34 and this inspires me to start training.

[@CC-jj7ne]

I’m glad he didn’t quit. I remember watching him. Bo Jackson could do it all. Christian Okoye invited beast mode in football.

[@conneraldeqn9751]

This is a pretty inspiring video. I only started playing football last year. I'm a sophomore and I'ma see if I can get a little tiny piece of some varsity playing time

[@RoytaviusDoster-k8y]

Yooo I was wondering how he been and everything this guy was ah Beast🔥🔥

[@manuelcerda8889]

I loved seeing his games or highlights of him.

[@dumdiversaspapalbull1452]

I was an Atwater fan, but you can definitely see that Okoye let up on that run. Steve’s name and number were intimidating.

[@BussinFields]

I'm not trying to be that guy, but I figured I should point this out. If 7% of high school players made it to college and 1% of those made it to the nfl, then you multiply .07 by .01 and get .0007, which matches the figure, however, this is out of 1, not 100, so you have to multiply that by 100 to get percent and so it is actually only .07%, so the number given at 0:16 is wrong. Also, with the exact figures of 7.3% and ~1.55%, the percentage is closer to 0.11%.

[@CookieBanana]

My parents watched this guy play and there stories shocked me. There's no guy close to him and never will be

[@Bcananzey]

Very similar the Bo Jackson and Wilt Chamberlain Wilt and Jackson played many sports were Insane insane athletes. both were monsters on the court/field. Bo had a horrible stutter and he overcame that. love these guys.

[@philipmeyer8801]

I definitely remember that hit !!! Nigerian nightmare was a beast!!!!!

[@kidpsykie4170]

It’s crazy how good this guy was but I’ve never anybody mention him with the greats

[@thekidthechild8829]

My first cousin Dustin Crum went undrafted as a QB and signed with the Chiefs Thous stats just left me dumbfounded I new the percentage was low to be a NFL player but didn’t realize it was that low.