CJ Okoye is the biggest long shot NFL Draft tracker will have their eyes on. Now, he has taken an even more exciting jump from the LA Chargers’ practice squad to joining the Baltimore Ravens. Born in Agbogugu, Enugu State, Okoye’s journey has not been free of challenges, but his persistence and passion have fueled his success. His upbringing took place between his mother’s compound in Agbogugu and his father’s home in Benue State. This unusual opportunity provided him with challenges and inspiration.
Growing up was not easy for Okoye. His dad worked two or three jobs to make ends meet. For this reason, they never quite escaped the shadow of their financial difficulties. Although these difficulties weighed heavily on her family, Okoye cultivated an acute sense of duty to his family. He feels deeply about wanting to provide a life for his brothers and sisters and his mom and dad. He wishes to one day do the same for his kids.
I know where I’m from—that the place I grew up was not a good place. I didn’t attend Ivy League university and I’m bitter dog. My dad worked two or three jobs. I wasn’t living the best life growing up at all,” Okoye said. I refuse to not provide my brothers, sisters and parents with the best life I can provide, and I want that for my future children as well.
His path to professional football started with a wake-up call. Despite his best efforts in training, passion, and skill development, that season was a major watershed moment. It was during this practice in the throes of that miserable stretch that he decided he didn’t want to be known as just a practice squad player.
My second season didn’t end up so hot for me. Don’t get me wrong – I played my a** off, I trained my a** off, I know – but it didn’t go that great for me. That’s when I got my wake up call,” said Okoye.
Armed with this remarkable insight, Okoye took proactive steps to improve his game. After visiting the upcoming NFL Africa Touchdown camp in Ghana last year, he found himself reinvigorated. Under the tender care of former NFL player Osi Umenyiora, he understood that to thrive in the league, he needed to step outside his comfort zone. He experienced difficulties readapting to training camps in Florida, but he continued to be dedicated to turning his performance around.
I would say yes and no. I would say yes,” Okoye replied when asked if that was the case with his early difficulties as a prospect. He realized that with no game tape, it would be very difficult to land any kind of chance in the NFL.
After returning from the combine in London, Okoye reached a powerful conclusion. He started training regularly at the gym, becoming a big weights room junkie and improving his physicality.
After wrapping up at the combine in London, I went directly into training mode. So I went to the weight room, and it dawned on me I had to start going harder to even have a chance of being in the NFL. So, I began working out, I began going to the gym, I started pumping iron. Well, I first started taking action because I have an unwavering desire to do the work and be the best. I found out that simply doing that was not enough,” he said.
With his new position with the Ravens, Okoye articulated his genuine appreciation for being in the league. He underscored his desire to be known for more than just a former practice squad player.
“I’m thankful I’m in the league, but I don’t want people to know me as that practice squad guy – playing in the NFL for 10 years and nine of those years, you’re in the practice squad. I don’t want to be that guy,” Okoye stated.
Okoye’s grit goes beyond personal achievement. It is a deeper realization of what it means to stick with something and improve oneself. He credits his willingness to think differently today to the challenges he had to overcome early in his career.
I think that now—I’m so much smarter than that, because I should teach myself what I have to do every day by waking up and saying it. I tell myself [the adulation] is nothing. It’s just the next game, the next step, the next thing [on the agenda that’s in focus],” he said.
CJ Okoye opens a new chapter with the Ravens. He is living proof that anyone can overcome the odds against them through hard work and dedication. With every step he takes on the field, he’s living out those dreams. He bears the dreams of every single person who supported him and got him here.
Leave a Reply