Christian Okoye
CHRISTIAN OKOYE, former All-Pro running back for the Kansas City Chiefs, created Okoye Fitness and Nutrition to help individuals redesign their health, fitness and nutrition. In 1990, The Christian Okoye Foundation was created to help underprivileged children assume their role in society. “The Nigerian Nightmare”, as he was known, has spent his adult years perfecting the art of sculpting the human body.
Growing up in Nigeria, Christian played soccer until he was 17, and was a sprinter and thrower on his high school track team. When he arrived to Azusa Pacific University in 1982, Christian won seven National Titles in shot Put, discus and the hammer and amassed 17 All American honors in track & field and football. In 1984, despite having attained marks more than sufficient to qualify, Christian was omitted from his Country's 1984 Olympic team. Frustrated, Christian abandoned track and field and joined his college football team. Having played football for a mere three years, Christian was drafted in 1987 by the Chiefs in the second round. During his seven seasons in Kansas City, Christian set a number of Chiefs rushing records, including total yards in a season, attempts in a season, touchdowns in a season, attempts in a single game, 100-yard games in a season, and was the first Chiefs running back to rush for 1,000 yards for more than one season.
Christian's outstanding 1989 season culminated in an array of awards, including Running Back of the year (101 in Kansas City & NFL Alumni) and first team All-Pro. The National Football League Players Association voted Christian the American Football Conference MVP, and he received the Mackie award for most touchdowns in the AFC. Christian garnered Most Valuable Player honors from the Kansas City Chiefs, and the Quarterback Club of Washington DC named him the League MVP. Christian received the Courage Award in Baltimore, which was named after Ed Block. According to Okoye, he left the game when he realized that he no longer could perform at the top of his abilities. And not being accustomed to the game from the beginning, it was easy for him to retire when he did. During the 1993 season, Christian retired in order to face different challenges in his life, which includes spending time with his 3 children: daughters Tiana, Laylah, and son Kosi.
Christian now dedicates his time running The Christian Okoye Foundation since 1990. His Foundation works with inner-city kids to provide them with the means and desire to focus their goals on bettering themselves--and the community--through education and sports. Mr. Okoye is now a member of National association of Intercollegiate Athletics Track and Field Hall Of Fame, Kansas City Chiefs Hall Of Fame/Ring Of Fame, Missouri State Sports Hall Of Fame and on January 24th 2004, Senior Bowl Hall Of Fame. In 2006, Christian became the President/Founder of the California Sports Hall Of Fame.