Chike Okeafor facts for kids

Chikezie Russell Okeafor (born March 27, 1976) is a former American football player. He played as a defensive end and linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). His career lasted from 1999 to 2009. He played for the San Francisco 49ers, the Seattle Seahawks, and the Arizona Cardinals.

Early Life and College Football

Chikezie Okeafor was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1976. His father came to America from Nigeria. Chikezie and his sisters were raised by their mother in the Midwest.

High School Success

After moving to West Lafayette, Indiana, Okeafor played football at West Lafayette Junior-Senior High School. He was a top player in Indiana. In his senior year, he helped his team win the 1993 state championship. He was also a finalist for the Indiana Mr. Football Award.

Playing at Purdue University

Okeafor stayed in West Lafayette for college. He played football at Purdue University and studied engineering. He was recognized as one of the best linebackers in the Big Ten Conference twice. He was also nominated twice for the Butkus Award, which goes to the best college linebacker.

NFL Career Highlights

Chikezie Okeafor had a successful career in the NFL. He played for three different teams. He was known for his strong defensive plays.

San Francisco 49ers (1999–2002)

The San Francisco 49ers picked Okeafor in the 1999 NFL Draft. He was the 89th player chosen overall. He started as a defensive end and played on special teams. By 2001, he became a regular starter. In 2002, he started all 16 games. With the 49ers, he made 119 tackles and 11.5 sacks.

Seattle Seahawks (2003–2004)

Okeafor then joined the Seattle Seahawks. He played for them in the 2003 and 2004 seasons. He was a key player for the Seahawks' defense. He led the team in sacks in both seasons. During his time there, he recorded 100 tackles and 16.5 sacks. He also made one interception.

Arizona Cardinals (2005–2009)

In 2005, Okeafor signed with the Arizona Cardinals. He started as a defensive end. Later, his position changed to outside linebacker. This happened when the team got a new coach. The Cardinals won their division in 2008 and 2009. They even played in Super Bowl XLIII. Okeafor made 6 solo tackles in that big game. He missed the 2007 season due to an injury. But in his four active years with the Cardinals, he had 210 tackles and 25 sacks. He also made another interception. He became a free agent in 2010.

Personal Interests

During his football career, Chikezie Okeafor had some unique hobbies. He enjoyed activities like meditation and yoga. He also practiced Wing Chun, a type of martial art. He preferred natural foods and herbal remedies. He even slept on a special bed to help with energy.