Maryland football allowed tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo to develop a second family. However, he will never forget his first.
Okonkwo, who is Niergian-American, was born and raised in Powder Springs, Ga., right outside of Atlanta with his mom, dad and two sisters.
When my sisters come to games with my mom, I know I have the opportunity to put on a show for my family,
Okonkwo said. I know they watch my games at home in Atlanta, but it’s different knowing that they’re in the stadium watching me. Every time I make a play, I’m thinking ‘did they see that?’
His father, unfortunately, isn’t able to watch him put on a Maryland uniform. When Okonkwo was a freshman in high school, his father, Charlton, passed away from a sudden heart attack. In a matter of just 20 minutes, Okonkwo’s outlook on life completely shifted.
His sister called him crying on the phone. She said that she called her parents while they were at a restaurant and she heard her mother scream. After hearing this, Okonkwo knew something was terribly wrong.
As soon as I got to the hospital, I saw my mom crying, and my whole world flipped, like in a second,
he said. But I have a different focus now. All the stuff that my dad taught me has made me into who I am today.
His father, who grew up in Nigeria, used to walk five miles everyday to school with his desk and chair in his hand. His hard work ethic became instilled in Chigoziem and his everyday life.
I want to honor his life by continuing to work extremely hard,
he explained. The first sport my sisters and I played was tennis. My dad used to really push my sisters and I and remind us that we could do whatever we set our mind to.
Okonkwo had many coaches throughout his life playing football, but no coach will ever compare to his father. He said his dad is 100 percent his first coach and helped him develop an initial discipline for sports.
I always pay him respect in everything that I do,
Okonkwo said. I always think about him in everything that I do, and I know the things he would want me to do and the things he wouldn’t want me to do. That’s how I live my life.
Okonkwo honors his father before each game by kneeling down and praying.
I ask him to watch over me, and I ask him to watch the game and enjoy it,
he said.
After his dad passed, he continued to work hard on and off the field and always kept the word family
in the back of his mind. His senior year of high school, he was already committed to Maryland. Since he was already committed, he put his self-interests to the side and focused on winning games with his teammates, who he calls his brothers.
I didn’t really worry about anything individual because I did all of that my junior year,
he said. Senior year was something special to me, to go back and pour into my team, give them my all and be all about my brothers.
I always pay [my father] respect in everything that I do. I always think about him in everything that I do, and I know the things he would want me to do and the things he wouldn’t want me to do. That’s how I live my life.
-- Chigoziem Okonkwo
BUY TICKETSThat brotherhood mindset carried into college and reflects in Maryland’s locker rooms. Before the first time he had Maryland
stretched across his chest, Protect This House,
were the words that made Georgia native Chigoziem Okonkwo feel like he was a part of the Terp family.
Okonkwo’s family extends from the football field, to back home in Georgia, and to Nigeria. The first time he visited his family in Nigeria was two years after his dad passed away.
I thought I had a lot of family in America, but I have a lot of family back home in Nigeria, like a lot of cousins, uncles and aunts,
he said smiling. It's awesome going back there and seeing all the love that they give me.
His family from Nigeria said that Okonkwo embodies the morals and work ethic of his father, which he works towards achieving everyday.
His name, Chigoziem Okonkwo,
means God has blessed me.
He said his biggest blessing is his family.
My name reminds me to go into every day with a smile, and not to take anything for granted,
he said. I wake up every day and put my all into everything, whether it’s school, football, workouts or just interacting with people. I just try to be the guy that’s smiling, happy and enjoying life.
His family is not only his biggest blessing, but also his biggest inspiration. He never wants to let them down.
So many of my family members look up to me,
Okonkow said. They say I inspire them. Being that person that they go to for work to get done, and provide for the family really makes me feel blessed.
If I keep it [football] up, I’ll have the opportunity to change everybody's life, and how they're living, and make my whole family happy for a long time,
Okonkwo continued. And that's what I want to do for my mom and all my family back home in Nigeria who are living in poverty. I have the opportunity to be that guy because I know I'm in that position now.
© 2019 University of Maryland
A Father’s Lasting Impact is a special presentation of umterps.com
Contact Us
Web Accessibility | UMD Privacy Policy