Kansas City Chiefs have found many legends in draft’s second round

#3 – Christian Okoye, Running Back

When the Chiefs went on the clock for the 35th selection in the 1987 NFL Draft, team personnel were pleasantly surprised to see running back Christian Okoye still on the board.

“We thought he was almost too good to be true,” said Jim Schaaf, the Chiefs’ general manager at the time. “Our personnel people said this kid’s got everything. He’s got the size, he’s got the speed, he’s got the intelligence, he’s got the character.”

Nicknamed the ‘Nigerian Nightmare’, a name he later endorsed, by teammate Irv Eatman, Okoye had a dominant and physical running style that literally floored would-be tacklers on a weekly basis.

That style would ultimately cut his career relatively short in terms of the games’ legends, as the hulking runner had multiple surgeries on his neck, back and knees in his short six year career, and he never once played in a full NFL season.

Despite those injuries, Okoye amassed nearly 5,000 yards in 79 career games, scored 40 touchdowns, was twice named to the Pro Bowl, and was a 1st Team All-Pro selection in 1989. In his All-Pro season, despite playing in only 15 games, Okoye rushed for 1,480 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Given his roots and backstory, Okoye did not begin his NFL career until the age of 26. That certainly contributed to his injuries and lack of longevity. Unfortunately Chiefs fans and NFL fans will always be left to wonder what a 22-year-old Okoye would have been able to accomplish in the NFL. And a fully healthy, 12-year careered Okoye may have been one of the top running backs in NFL history.

Instead, he’ll simply be remembered as a legend, who transformed sports dreams for innumerable Nigerians and is the third best 2nd round pick in Chiefs history.