Afrigather In a Chargers season that’s going nowhere, he’s — as knowledgeable athlete — touring there in a reasonably unlikely means.
On a bicycle.
CJ Okoye doesn’t have a automotive. Or a driver’s license. He by no means even has operated a motorized vehicle.
He does have an electrical bike, nevertheless, that he has ridden all season to get to his job as a Chargers defensive lineman.
“I’ve seen him zooming by way of the constructing on it a pair occasions,” linebacker Kenneth Murray Jr. stated. “It’s like, ‘Rattling, CJ!’ ”
Okoye, 22, joined the Chargers in Could by way of the NFL’s Worldwide Participant Pathway Program.
He has spent the 12 months on the follow squad, which could not sound like a lot of an accomplishment till realizing he crouched into the primary defensive stance of his life simply 11 months in the past.
A local of Nigeria, Okoye stated his dad and mom by no means have owned a automotive. He grew up utilizing public transportation or a ride-share program.
After changing into a Charger, he was discussing his transportation choices with teammate Morgan Fox, who first prompt Okoye get a motorcycle after which gave Okoye one.
“I informed him, ‘Dude, don’t spend your cash,’ ” Fox stated. “ ‘It’s already costly sufficient to stay right here. Let me assist you out.’ ”
Fox had a motorcycle sitting in his storage from his time with Carolina. The Panthers’ follow space is situated a distance from the locker room with gamers and employees usually utilizing golf carts or bikes.
So Okoye, all 6-foot-6, 315 kilos of him, started touring the brief stretch — two or three blocks, by way of one site visitors mild — from his Costa Mesa residence to the Chargers’ facility on Fox’s hand-me-down set of wheels.
“I noticed him on the bike — with the helmet and all the things — cruising in,” linebacker Eric Kendricks stated. “I used to be like, ‘What?’ He rides his bike to work?’ I respect that, particularly in California.”
The NFL is a spot the place gamers have arrived for the beginning of coaching camp in hearth vans, armored automobiles and, in no less than one occasion, a helicopter. The Chargers have a participant who arrives every day on the equal of a beefed-up Schwinn.
Okoye stated he’d prefer to get his driver’s license quickly however admitted he’s nervous in regards to the driving half. America nonetheless feels overseas to him, his publicity to the nation coming principally by way of motion pictures.
“I began studying all these books about California driving,” Okoye stated. “Now, I feel I get it education-wise. But it surely’s completely different, studying the playbook after which doing it on the sector in follow. Driving is identical means.”
He stated he has heard tales about how troublesome it may be to maneuver a automotive versus a motorcycle. He additionally has heard tales in regards to the horrors of American forms.
“I informed him, ‘Don’t attempt to get your driver’s license in California,’ ” Fox stated. “That’s the very last thing he ought to attempt to do.“
Why’s that?
“The traces simply within the grocery retailer are loopy,” Fox stated. “You’re going to attempt to go to the DMV?”
(Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Occasions)
Since coming to the U.S., Okoye has skilled his first Fourth of July, Halloween and Thanksgiving, which he spent with teammates on the house of defensive deal with Austin Johnson.
He stated the season has been troublesome for him as a result of he has struggled to enhance. He stated he needs he might assist the Chargers extra, particularly given how poorly the season has unfolded.
However Okoye stated a spotlight has been the Friday evening group dinners organized by edge rusher Khalil Mack. He usually makes use of Uber to get to these, though teammates all the time are providing to choose him up.
“Seeing all people laughing with one another away from the enterprise of all the things is nice,” Okoye stated. “They make us all really feel like equals regardless of your standing on the group.
“They make you’re feeling like we’re all brothers, let me put it like that. We discuss as brothers. That’s useful. It’s very nice. I’ve no household right here. In order that they’re my household.”
Just a few of the relations are big-time automotive fanatics. Kendricks stated he owns 5 automobiles, together with a 1993 Mustang LX, 1995 Dodge Viper and a Porsche GT3 RS.
Murray acquired his driver’s allow when he was 15 however — as a result of he was too busy with soccer — didn’t get his license till his sophomore 12 months at Oklahoma. That hole supplied motivation.
“I received my driver’s license so late and it was such a ache in my butt that it turned one thing that pushed me,” he stated. “It was a purpose for me to work laborious as a result of, when it got here time to get a automotive, I wished to have the ability to afford no matter I wished.”
And what does he personal at present?
“I’ve some toys,” Murray stated, smiling. “I like Italian automobiles. I’ve one which’s actually, very nice. I’ve a number of — I might described them as — race automobiles, too.”
Okoye stated he’d prefer to personal a automotive someday. Having spent most of his time right here in Florida and California, he stated he’d additionally like to go to Dallas, Houston and “the seashore in Hawaii.” One other landmark he desires to see: “In New York, you recognize, the woman,” he stated, which means the Statue of Liberty.
However first maybe, a driver’s license, if he can cross the check.
“I feel I can do it,” Okoye stated. “If I can come all the best way from Nigeria to the Chargers and play a brand new sport, I feel I can drive a automotive.”
