Chargers’ CJ Okoye tallies sack in first football game of his entire life

The Chargers’ sideline erupted in celebration, knowing how far Okoye had come to get this opportunity. Head coach Brandon Staley went as far to call Okoye’s performance “historic.”

“It’s a historic performance,” Staley said after the game, via Pro Football Talk. “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 Chargers defeated the Rams, 34-17, with Okoye arguably the story the game.

CJ Okoye caps off historic Chargers debut with sack

Shortly after landing with the Chargers, Okoye discussed his journey from Africa to the NFL with ESPN. The 21-year-old said he began working out in Florida months after taking part in the NFL Combine in London last October.

“When we were done with the combine in London, I started working,” Okoye said. “I started going to the gym because I knew that what I saw there [in myself] wasn’t enough [to be in the NFL]. So, I started going to the gym, I started lifting weights. I started doing some stuff because I want to work and I want to be the best, but it wasn’t enough.

“I don’t know the game, I don’t understand the game, I don’t know what it means, I don’t know what it takes… Knew part of what it took to get here, but I didn’t know all of what it took to get here. You need people who know the game, but after the London combine, I knew what I wanted. I knew that I had to get it.”

Now in the running to make it onto the 53-man roster, Okoye hopes his story inspires those in Nigeria and around the world.

“For people that want to play; for people that have been dreaming… If you have big dreams, you have to dream even bigger,” Okoye said. “No dream is too big. If you dream it, you can achieve it. 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.”