Biography

Call 1.800.966.1380 to contact Christian Okoye booking agent, publicist, manager, pr firm, representative and management company for booking Christian Okoye speaker appearances, autograph signing, endorsement deals or hiring Christian Okoye as a keynote speaker for your next event. Find Christian Okoye official website information, speaker fees, booking fees, costs and schedule. Christian Okoye is a retired NFL running back who played 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.

Born in Enugu, Nigeria, Okoye did not play American football until 1984, when he joined the squad at California's Azusa Pacific University. He excelled in track & field, winning seven college titles in the shot put, discus and hammer throw. After attending his first American football game, he thought of the game as boring.

After the Nigerian government failed to select Okoye for the Olympics in track, he sought something else and went out for football. Initially, Okoye did not enjoy the roughness of football and thought about quitting but friends convinced him to continue playing. His track speed was unusual for someone his size — 6'1", 260 lbs. — and this rare combination of talents led to his selection in the second round of the 1987 NFL Draft by the Kansas City Chiefs.

His first two seasons with the Chiefs were marginally successful as injuries limited his playing time, but in his third year in 1989, Okoye enjoyed his best NFL season, leading the league in both rushing attempts (370) and rushing yards (1,480). Though the Chiefs missed the playoffs, Okoye was selected by UPI as the American Football Conference's Offensive Player of the Year and earned a trip to Hawaii for the Pro Bowl.

The remainder of Okoye's career was marked by a nagging knee injury, one which limited him to 805 yards and a 3.3 yard average per carry in 1990. Though his 1991 performance (1,031 yards, 4.6 yards per carry) earned him his second Pro Bowl appearance, Okoye's carries in 1992 were largely limited to goal-line situations.

Okoye retired as the Chiefs' all-time rushing leader, having amassed 4,897 yards, 1,246 attempts, and 14 games with at least 100 yards rushing, in his six seasons. Those team records have since been surpassed by Priest Holmes (1st) and Larry Johnson (2nd). His 40 career rushing touchdowns as a member of the Chiefs trail only Holmes and Marcus Allen. Okoye was the team MVP in 1989 and was enshrined in the Chiefs Hall of Fame in 2000.

Okoye is currently owns Okoye Health and Fitness, a company that sells nutritional supplements. He made an appearance as a boxer on the FX Network's Celebrity Boxing special. He also founded the California Sports Hall of Fame, where he is president.

PFP Sports & Celebrity Talent PFP is a speakers bureau and booking agency providing Christian Okoye speaker, personal appearance and endorsement information. Booking Christian Okoye for appearances, as a motivational speaker, keynote speaker, for a fundraising event, grand opening, television or radio commercial, PR campaign or trade show is easy through our agency. For more info, contact Christian Okoye through PFP Sports & Celebrity Talent at 1.800.966.1380.