Naija Rookie records sack in his first-ever organized football game
Los Angeles Chargers defensive lineman CJ Okoye is shown during rookie minicamp (Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports)
Pretty crazy: #Chargers rookie DL C.J. Okoye never even played a Football game in *his entire life*, but managed a Sack in his first NFL appearance. The team absolutely loved it🔥
Okoye joined LAC through the International Player Pathway
(@OsiUmenyiora)pic.twitter.com/9wFB8r1yqo
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) August 13, 2023
Okoye hails from Nigeria by way of NFL’s International Player Pathway program, Scott Thompson reports for Fox News.
Los Angeles Chargers defensive lineman CJ Okoye got his first sack in the NFL when he took down Los Angeles Rams quarterback Stetson Bennett late in the fourth quarter of their preseason Week 1 matchup.
While this normally wouldn’t be that big of a deal, the Chargers’ sideline was going ballistic when Okoye wrapped Bennett’s legs up and brought him to the turf.
Why? This wasn’t just Okoye’s first NFL sack in his first NFL game. It was his first organized football game of his entire life.
Chargers celebrating with C.J. Okoye (R- Image via X) and Okoye sacking Stetson Bennett (R- via Getty Images)
Yes, you read that correctly.
Okoye hails from Nigeria and is a part of the NFL’s International Player Pathway program that allows athletes from various countries around the globe to try out for franchises around the league for a spot on their 53-man roster (or practice squad) during training camp. Okoye also participated in the NFL London Combine.
He’s certainly a long shot to make the roster when camp breaks before Week 1, but Okoye’s athleticism was on full display when he was rushing the passer. He ran a stunt to perfection, rushing to the right side of the offensive line.
CJ Okoye had never played in an organized football game until last night.
The Nigerian native attended the @NFLAfrica Camp last year & was signed by the @chargers through the International Player Pathway program.
He got his first sack in his first game EVER. 💙 @Cj_dlion12 pic.twitter.com/SJO5oo8y1U
— NFL (@NFL) August 13, 2023
First football game of his entire life. He gets a sack. You can’t make this stuff up. @chargers Sideline going crazy. Only in the @NFL @Cj_dlion12 @NFLAfrica #IPP pic.twitter.com/0vInPW1pIT
— OSI (@OsiUmenyiora) August 13, 2023
“
It’s a historic performance. This guy, as you guys know, his story is remarkable.
The international pathway program, this guys never played in a game. For him in his first NFL game to have a sack… that’s what the NFL’s about!
— Brandon Staley
As Bennett was scrambling out of danger, he didn’t see Okoye barreling in behind him. A perfectly timed dive and wrap of the legs secured the sack.
His Chargers teammates were waving towels, jumping up and down and turned the sideline into a party when he finally got back to it.
“It’s a historic performance,” Chargers head coach Brandon Staley said after the game of Okoye. “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].”
Rams quarterback Stetson Bennett gets sacked by Chargers defensive lineman CJ Okoye in the fourth quarter of their preseason game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, on Saturday, Aug. 12, 2023. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
“You saw that sideline,” he continued. “That’s what the NFL’s about, great stories like that – game ball for CJ and a memorable moment for our whole team.”
Okoye’s moment caught the eyes of many, including New York Giants great Osi Umenyiora, who commented on his moment.
“First football game of his entire life. He gets a sack. You can’t make this stuff up. @chargers Sideline going crazy. Only in the @NFL,” Umenyiora wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
The Chargers ended up beating the Rams big, 34-17, to secure their first victory of the preseason.
As roster battles continue to unfurl and get tougher by the week, Chargers fans will definitely be keeping a sharp eye on what Okoye can do moving forward.
