In the News: NFL Network Premieres Christian Okoye: A Football Life

“Christian Okoye: A Football Life” premieres Friday, Sept. 18, at 9 p.m. (ET) on the NFL Network. The one-hour documentary, produced by NFL Films, tells the story of former Kansas City Chief All-Pro running back and APU alumnus Okoye ’87, nicknamed “The Nigerian Nightmare.” The film, which features interviews with Okoye, family members, teammates, coaches, and opponents, launches the fifth season of the Emmy-nominated “Football Life Series.”

In June, NFL Films visited Azusa Pacific to conduct key interviews with Okoye and his track coach, Terry Franson; football coach, Jim Milhon; and track teammate Innocent Egbunike ’86, as well as capture campus footage for the documentary. With APU playing a prominent role in Okoye’s story, the university partnered with NFL Films to host an on-campus premiere on Friday, Sept. 11, a week before the film’s nationally televised debut.

The evening drew APU faculty, staff, students, and alumni, as well as Okoye’s friends, family, and former APU teammates and NFL players, including Eric Dickerson. The program included conversations with Okoye and Rob Gehring, the film’s supervising producer, and a dessert reception following the film. A display of Okoye memorabilia including photos, trophies, and awards highlighted his two-sport success at APU and impressive professional contribution to Kansas City.

“I have known Christian Okoye for more than 30 years,” said Franson, now senior vice president for student life/dean of students. “Personally witnessing his transformation from a Nigerian track star who came to APU to throw the discus to a powerhouse NFL running back is incredible. Think about it: Christian had never even picked up a football before age 23. He learned the sport on our gridiron. He thrived under Jim Milhon’s tutelage and emerged as a major contributor to the Kansas City Chiefs, earning the praise of coach and athlete alike. With all his accomplishments, Christian remains humble, eager to use his Pro Bowl status to make a difference for others, especially those on the margins. The producer of the film created an authentic and excellent representation of Christian’s journey. Being part of the audience on Friday was a slice of heaven for my wife and I.” The film premiere stood as an impactful event for the APU athletes present who are inspired daily by his legacy as they pass by Okoye’s display in the Hall of Champions, see his framed APU jersey on the locker room wall, and hear of his landmark achievements from their coaches.

“We’ve been blessed as a university with several alumni who reached professional ranks in their sport, but Christian’s success and notoriety in the NFL was meteoric,” said athletic director Gary Pine, who served as master of ceremonies for the evening. "He may have been known as the ‘Nigerian Nightmare,’ but he lived the American dream, a true Cinderella story that you couldn’t make up in Hollywood. To this day, Christian continues to inspire our students to reach for greatness no matter the setting or obstacles. The film was inspirational, moving, and personal, and our athletes are so proud to be Cougar teammates with Christian and share in that legacy.”

For Okoye, who was met with a standing ovation when he returned to stage at the end of the evening, the APU film premiere presented an opportunity to publicly express his feelings about his alma mater.

“The only reason I had a successful career in the NFL is because of my APU family,” said Okoye. “Though love and patience, I was molded into a football player beyond anything I could have imagined, and hopefully I made a difference for my teams. I thank God that at APU, many others are experiencing the same.”