Chike Okeafor's 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.
11 Facts About Chike Okeafor
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Chike Okeafor was a finalist for the Indiana Mr Football Award, and co-captained his team to the 1993 state championship in his senior year.
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Chike Okeafor stayed in West Lafayette to play college football at Purdue University, where he studied engineering.
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Chike Okeafor 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.
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Chike 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.
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Chike Okeafor signed with the Seattle Seahawks as an unrestricted free agent and played with them in the 2003 and 2004 seasons.
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Chike Okeafor led the team in sacks both seasons, recording 100 tackles, 16.5 sacks, 1 pass defended and one interception which he returned 18 yards.
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Joe Tiller 8.
Chike Okeafor signed a five-year contract with the Arizona Cardinals in 2005.
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The Cardinals won their division in 2008 and 2009, including a losing effort in Super Bowl XLIII in which Chike Okeafor contributed 6 solo tackles.
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Chike Okeafor 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.
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Chike Okeafor favored natural foods and herbal remedies, slept on an electrically grounded bed, and wore a medallion to ward off chaotic energy.