Okoye vs. Tecmo Bo

Well, I just found out while reading MJD that the Tecmo Bowl franchise will receive a re-launch in 2008. When I hear the phrase “Tecmo Bowl” two words instantly pop into my head…

Bo…

and…

Okoye.

This is crazy news considering how much I’ve been mentioning that game lately, and also that Okoye is desperately trying to make a comeback in The COAT Tournament. Hell, we’ve been talking about him constantly this month and I even linked that infamous Okoye Tecmo Bowl clip in a post two weeks ago.

Anyway, both had mad gridiron game, but who had more gamer game, you know, NES nastiness?

That question is especially hard to answer for us K.C. Sports fans.

As both a die-hard Kansas City Chiefs and Royals fan growing up, both Bo Jackson and Christian Okoye were among my favorite athletes (along with Reggie Miller, George Brett, Willie McGee and Derrick Thomas). I loved these two so much that I ate chicken pot pies daily while wearing my orange-and-blue Bo-Jacks. I think about these two all the time.

I thought of Bo the other day when I saw a YouTube clip of Atlanta Falcons rookie S Darren Stone jumping over a car.

I thought of Okoye yesterday when I saw the new Pirates of the Caribbean trailer. “I can’t believe he’s actually going on a freaking pirate reality show,” I said to myself. Or, as I like to call them — “escape-from-reality shows.”

Once in awhile a vision of Bo Jackson snapping that bat on his thigh or running up the outfield wall will make me giggle like I’m a 13-year-old girl and Bo is Idol’s Blake Lewis.

Once in awhile, when I revisit it in my mind’s eye, Steve Atwater’s monster hit on Okoye will nearly induce vomiting.

I loved these two K.C. athletes.

So it’s hard for me to even ask this, but…

Who was the better Tecmo Bowl player: Bo Jackson or Christian Okoye?

Initially, I want to say Bo. The thing with Bo is that his legend is kind of like Chuck Norris’ at this point. The guy was practically a God, but sometimes we act like he was the lovechild of Jim Brown and Jim Thorpe. Well, that actually might be a pretty good comparison, but still Bo “never finished in the top 10 in any major category.” Seriously, his stats aren’t even that special. I know, I know, the two-sport thing. But…

Bo’s best season can’t even touch Okoye’s. Bo’s best season rushing yardage-wise was 950 yards. Okoye topped the 1,000-yard plateau twice, once leading the NFL with 1,480 yards. Bo never knew more than five rushing TDs. Okoye once had a dirty dozen rushing TDs in a season. Plus, Okoye’s game version, Tecmo Super Bowl, is also far superior.

I can’t decide. I’ve seen both of them break infinite tackles while zig-zagging out the clock, so I’ll let you guys make the call. Hey, maybe if Okoye can’t win The COAT he can win the TBOAT. Might come in handy on that little pirate cruise he’s about to go on.

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