CJ Okoye’s performance in Saturday’s preseason game against the Rams couldn’t have gone better.
The Chargers lineman tallied a sack in not only his first NFL game, but his first organized football game to date, making a single sack into a far more memorable day.
The sack of Rams quarterback Stetson Bennett, who is fresh out of Georgia, sent a wave of celebration over the Chargers’ sideline.
Once Okoye was off the field, the Chargers bench could be seen celebrating his accomplishment with him, jumping, dancing, and singing for their new teammate.
“It’s a historic performance,” Chargers head coach Brandon Staley said. “This guy, as you guys know, his story is remarkable. The International Pathway Program, this guy’s never played in a game. For him to go in his first NFL game to have a sack, our guys said if he gets a sack, we were going to get a 15-yard [celebration penalty]. You saw that sideline, that’s what the NFL’s about, great stories like that. Game ball for CJ and a memorable moment for our whole team.”
The 21-year-old Nigerian started playing football only three years ago and signed with the Chargers through the NFL’s International Player Pathway program.
He was one of few Nigerian athletes to be a part of the league’s London Combine and was also a part of the University of South Florida’s Pro Day before the 2023 NFL Draft.
“For people that want to play; for people that have been dreaming… If you have big dreams, you have to dream even bigger. No dream is too big. If you dream it, you can achieve it,” Okoye told ESPN in May. “My dream is to get into the NFL, but I haven’t stopped yet. I have an even bigger dream of getting that championship ring.
“I want to tell them to keep dreaming, keep working hard, and one day, they’re going to make it here.”
Okoye’s sack contributed to the Chargers’ 34-17 win over the Rams, however, his spot on the 53-man roster is in no way guaranteed, and if he doesn’t make the cut, there is a chance Okoye could earn a spot on the practice squad.
Other Nigerian athletes in the International Player Pathway program fighting for a spot include Roy Mbaeteka for the Bears, Chukwuebuka Jason Godrick for the Chiefs, Kenneth Odumegwu with the Packers, David Ebuka Agoha for the Raiders, and Haggai Chisom Ndubuisi with the Broncos.
