Okoye is not just an athlete but excels in academics, at the age of 15; Okoye was offered an academic scholarship to Harvard University, which he turned down because he wanted to play top-level football at a University prominent in academics as well as their football program. He instead chose to attend the University of Louisville where he majored in Psychology, completing his degree in three and a half years. At 16, he became the youngest player in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), one of the first true freshmen to earn playing time.
Okoye garnered Associated Press Second-Team All American honors and first-team All-Big East honors and as the NCAA’s youngest senior at 19 years old. On April 28, 2007 Amobi Okoye made history as he was drafted by the Houston Texans as the 10th overall pick of the 2007 NFL draft. He is the youngest player to ever be drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft at only 19 years old, the first to accomplish such a feat. He is the highest draft pick to come out of the University of Louisville in history.
On July 26th 2007, Okoye signed a five year deal with the Texans, which allowed him to begin training camp with his new teammates the next day. He started his first NFL game on September 9th 2007. This day, he became the youngest player to ever appear in an NFL game. As if that wasn’t enough, he was named Defensive Rookie of the Month for September 2007, making him the youngest player to ever receive that award. Okoye finished his season with an impressive 32 tackles and 5.5 sacks, also a rookie record, giving him a solid first season.
Amobi Okoye is a man with many talents. These talents have made him an invaluable addition to the Houston Texans and an irreplaceable member of his society. The current 23 year old, in his few years as a professional football player, has used his success to give back to his community through several different outreach programs. One such program is, Kick-off for Kicks; a serious of youth centered activities that uses athletics and academics to provide motivation to youth, fostering self-esteem, academics and inspiration.
Okoye has always felt his success was not meant for him alone, saying, “I made a decision to establish a vehicle to use this greater voice that was given to me to make a real difference.” The Amobi Okoye Foundation has become that vehicle of change. Under the foundation are three main programs: Kick-off for Kids, Tackle Hunger, and C.A.T.E (Changing Africa Through Education).
Amobi Okoye Foundation opened its doors in 2008 with the purpose of providing hope to Kids & Communities around the globe. Founded by University of Louisville graduate and former Cardinal Defensive Tackle, Amobi, now with the Houston Texans, purposes to provide hope to Kids and Communities around the globe. Okoye graduated high school at the age of 15 and shortly after, upon turning down many prestigious opportunities (including Harvard) to purse his football dream, he became the youngest NCAA athlete of all time pursuing his football dream at University of Louisville. In 2007, Okoye became the youngest player ever to be drafted into the NFL in the modern draft era at the age of 19, drafted by the Houston Texans in the first round.
