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.

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'

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.

This man right here is why I became a Chiefs fan in my early teens. People would ask, "why in the world is a boy from Miami rooting for the Chiefs?" "The Nigerian Nightmare" was the answer.

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!

Ziggy Ansah had a similar story. Came to the US from Ghana to go to BYU and had a track scholarship. Dream was to play college basketball but was cut as a walk-on. Someone said "Hey, you're a 270 lb freak of nature with sprinter speed, you should be a football player". He had never even seen an American football game. Ended up walking onto the football team, two years later he was a 5th overall pick and went on to be a pro bowler for the Lions.

I trained some of the Chiefs. One night in 1999 Christian Okoye called me and we talked for an hour and a half. What a kind soul. One of coolest things in my life.

Being coached by Marty Schottenheimer, you couldn’t wish for a better team to be on. Marty was a rushing genius and pounded up and down the field every week. Pure gold.

Nobody remembers all the times Okoye mowed down Atwater. They just remember the crazy time it went the other way. Just another way we know how crazy Okoye was.

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

If he grew up around football, he could have been one of the greatest to ever play

I love seeing Atwater in interviews about that tackle...he's humble about it, cause some time after the game he found out that Okoye's wife had a miscarriage. So he believes he wasn't facing a full strength Nigerian Nightmare.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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)

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.

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

dudes an athletic freak and starting at 23 is insane, dude really lucked out

Imagine being a running back, working for a dream that you've worked from junior high to the college ranks for, and after you make it, some guy comes from a different planet, doesn't have the same background or even knowledge comes in and does better than you. Crazy story.

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

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

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

I remember him playing with Barry word and my god, 2 big power backs coming downhill each play

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.

That was my guy back in the day, the "Nigerian Nightmare" was a beast in the NFL. Him and Barry Word in the Kansas City Chief's backfield was a problem I'm telling you. They just didn't have the overall team but they were very good. Back in the day playing with him on Super Tecmo Bowl was no joke, if you know you know lol!!!💯

I remember that Atwater hit when I was kid. If I’m not mistaken, I believe Okoye trucked Atwater later in that same game.

My professor was the play by play commentator at Azusa Pacific while Okoye was there - he never expected a player like that to come through

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

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

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

Between him and Mike Alstott are the 2 FB's you'd never want to face in a goalline situation.

The simple fact of this man being as great in NFL as he was and his whole story how he had no clue what football was till 21. This man deserves to be in NFL hall of Fame. He mighta not had typical Hof career but who else in the NFL could do that? How many other NFL players woulda gave up before or when they got to league? This is such an inspiration of being smart as well as being tough never giving up. Thanks for this video

That Okoye/Atwater hit is a good teachable moment for footwork and foot placement. I'm not a football analyst in any stretch of the imagination, I'm simply stating something I observed from this great video. If you look at Okoye, his feet are in front of his body as the hit is being made, while Atwater still has his feet behind him. I would wager that if it were the other way around, Okoye would have bulldozed Atwater and this would be a totally different story.

I love that Barry Sanders had 90 fewer carries than Okoye in 1989 and only lost the rushing title by 10 yards. Sanders actually played a later game in the final week and had a chance to get the title. He said he didn’t care about individual accolades, so he sat out the 4th quarter because his team was way ahead.

Nigerian Nightmare might be the best nickname in NFL history.

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.

He carried the Hope's of an entire generation of powerbacks

These videos are awesome. I’m a pretty young NFL fan so I wasn’t around during that era. But it’s always awesome to see older players from a previous era get their flowers

I grew up a Denver fan in Kansas City and will never forget when Steve Atwater knocked Okoye clean, blew the sports world's mind

Kansas City had Okoye and Barry Word in the backfield at a time taking turns punishing linebackers.

The man literally lead the way for many other African players to play the game of football

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.

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.

I loved Watching Christian Okoye and Barry Word playing Running Back for Kansas City Chiefs. They Both were Nightmares when running the with the Football.

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

Growing up in a broncos household, that hit Atwater had on Okoye will live on forever. Not just because Atwater was the smilimg assassin, but because it was the hit that awoke you from the Nigerian Nightmare

This is a really cool story! I love your vids

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

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

I liked watching this cat play as a kid and I collected his cards. But I was young and had no idea about his background. This is impressive beyond belief! Excellent content, nice work.

One of my top 3 power backs, Very humble and he had some nephews in the NFL but I am not sure if they are still playing. That hit from Steve was cool of course Christian had lost his baby so he wasn’t his self that game but great to watch and he reminded you of Earl Campbell

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.

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

buddy was in and out of the NFL like it was just some part time job he picked up for a while. what a beast.

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.

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

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

People thinking that average joe’s can play in the NFL is not a thing, college football is made of freak athletes and NFL players are leagues ahead of them.

KTO never stops dropping fire videos

His story always amazes me, great stuff as always KTO

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

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.

This guy was a BEAST in tecmo bowl.

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

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!

Okoye Led the NFL in Rushing in 1989 Because the GOAT Gave it to him. Barry Sanders played after Okoye that day and Barry left the game at half because the Lions were winning Knowing all he had to do was run 11 yards more in the 2nd half and he said "Let the other Rookies play" Barry Sanders REALLY Led the NFL in Rushing 5 Times in 10 seasons

I started watching football late in life, so I’ve never heard of him. Thank you for this incredible video!

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

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

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

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.

@5:16 I lost it with the cardboard arrow 🤣🤣🤣

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

I watched that game when Atwater caught okoye, it was pretty obvious okoye was indecisive on either lowering his shoulder or making a cut. Too bad you didn't show either the next play or a couple of plays later when okoye wasnt. 😊

When Steve Atwater met him that was one of the hardest hits ever. Loved watching this guy run. Atwater may have gotten the best of him but akoye didn’t back down form anyone.

I didn't play till I was a freshman because I was always too heavy by 50ibs. I was 6'2 245 as a sophomore as a starting rb/fb/de. Senior year weighed 262 and ran for 800 yards 11 tds. Huge Running backs represent!

The Nigerian Nightmare was one of my favorite growing up. That Steve Atwater play still legendary.

This is last person I’d want to have to tackle in the open field no contest. I’ll take take on Bettis, King Henry, even prime Earl Campbell. I dunno, maybe it’s the neckroll. This dude has always looked like the most intimidating fullback/tailback of all time IMO.

The thing that actually really helped him especially early in his career was actually not have playing football his whole life. Sounds weird but many college players have thousands of hits stacked up already in their lifetime when reaching the NFL he had 0, plus all of that beastliness. Loved playing super tecmo bowl with him.

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.

Loved this!!!!! Super dope!!!!!

Did the Nigerian team ever give an explanation to why they didn’t select Okoye?

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

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 :)

It is one of the greatest sports stories ever told. Definitely top 3 NFL stories ever told. He was electrifying to watch in a game. Just a bone-crusher!

Love Okoye, I remember my dad telling me about him when I was growing up and destroying people with guys like him and Bo Jackson in Tecmo Bowl

6'1'', 260 lbs. and he runs a 4.38 40 yard DASH!? are you kidding me!?

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.

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

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

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

Sup KTO, glad to have another vid, like always man, much love and support. Godbless

Turned 16 in 1989, so Christian Okoye stands out in my NFL memories. Almost shocked to see he only had 2 1k yard seasons

He should’ve won a super bowl

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

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

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