Chike Okeafor

Chike Okeafor

Career information
College:	Purdue
NFL draft:	1999 / Round: 3 / Pick: 89
Career history
San Francisco 49ers (1999–2002) Seattle Seahawks (2003–2004) Arizona Cardinals (2005–2009)
Career NFL statistics as of Week 17, 2009
Tackles: 383 Sacks: 53.0 INTs: 2

Chikezie Russell Okeafor (pronounced /ˈtʃiːkeɪ ˈoʊkəfər/; born March 27, 1976 in Grand Rapids, Michigan) is a professional American football player. During his National Football League career from 1999 to 2009, he played defensive end and linebacker for the San Francisco 49ers, the Seattle Seahawks, and the Arizona Cardinals.

Background

Okeafor was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1976. His father, of Igbo ethnicity, had come to America in the wake of the Nigerian Civil War. His parents pursued advanced academic training at universities in Michigan and Ohio, before his father returned to Nigeria in 1983 and Chike and his sisters were raised by his mother in the Midwest.

After moving to West Lafayette, Indiana, Okeafor played prep football at West Lafayette Junior-Senior High School. He was a finalist for the Indiana Mr. Football Award, and co-captained his team to the 1993 state championship in his senior year.

Okeafor stayed in West Lafayette to play college football at Purdue University, where he also studied engineering. He was a two-time second team All-Big Ten selection and two-time nominee for the Butkus Award given to college football's top linebacker. Okeafor was suspended from the team for the 1997 season by new Purdue coach Joe Tiller for "conduct detrimental to the team," and then converted from linebacker to defensive end for his senior year.

NFL career

San Francisco 49ers

In the 1999 NFL draft, Okeafor was selected in the third round 89th overall by the San Francisco 49ers and signed a four year contract. Playing defensive end and on special teams, he became a starter in 2001, and started all 16 games in 2002. During his tenure with the 49ers he recorded 119 tackles, 11.5 sacks and five passes defended.

Seattle Seahawks

Okeafor signed with the Seattle Seahawks as an unrestricted free agent and played with them in the 2003 and 2004 seasons. He led the team in sacks both seasons, recording 100 tackles, 16.5 sacks, 1 pass defended and one interception which he returned 18 yards.

Arizona Cardinals

Okeafor signed a five-year contract with the Arizona Cardinals in 2005. He initially played defensive end for Arizona in the 4-3 scheme of Head Coach Dennis Green. Once Green was fired, new Head Coach Ken Whisenhunt introduced a Pittsburgh-style 3-4 scheme that would ultimately change Okeafor's position to Outside Linebacker. The Cardinals won their division in 2008 and 2009, including a losing effort in Super Bowl XLIII in which Okeafor contributed 6 solo tackles. He missed the entire 2007 season with a biceps injury, but in four active years as a Cardinal recorded 210 tackles, 25 sacks, 12 passes defended and one interception which he returned 39 yards.

In 2010, Okeafor became a free agent.

Personal

Okeafor and his wife Stephanie had their first child in 2009.

During his football career, Okeafor became known for his eccentric activities, including meditation, yoga, and practicing Wing Chun. He favored natural foods and herbal remedies, and wore a medallion to ward off chaotic energy.

His younger sister Chioma graduated from medical school in 2010 and is currently a pediatric resident in Arizona.