WATCH: Chargers lose their minds as Nigerian teammate C.J. Okoye sacks Rams QB Stetson Bennett in his first-ever football game

C.J. Okoye signed with the Chargers by NFL's International pathway program.

WATCH: Chargers lose their minds as Nigerian teammate C.J. Okoye sacks Rams QB Stetson Bennett in his first-ever football game

Chargers celebrating with C.J. Okoye (R- Image via X) and Okoye sacking Stetson Bennett (R- via Getty Images)

NFL is going international. The Los Angeles Chargers‘ defensive end C.J. Okoye, who hails from Nigeria, signed with the Chargers via the NFL’s International Player Pathway program. Unlike most players, Okoye had never played a professional football game before. He made his NFL debut during the preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams.

During the 4th quarter of the game, Okoye chased down the Georgia product Stetson Bennett from the pocket and tackled him down to register his first-ever NFL sack. Once Okoye went to the sidelines after the sack, the Chargers players and coaching staff could be seen celebrating their teammate’s accomplishment.

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The players on the Chargers’ sidelines were seen singing, jumping, and dancing with their new teammates. Okoye’s debut couldn’t have gone any better. He still has a long shot to make it to the roster before week 1. But he used the opportunity he got to the full extinct and displayed his athleticism while rushing the passer.

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Okoye’s brilliant moment caught the attention of many people, including the Chargers head coach Brandon Staley and the New York Giants great Osi Umenyiora. Nonetheless, the LA Chargers ended up beating the Rams 34-17 dominantly to register their first win in the preseason.

On the brighter side for the Rams, their rookie signal-caller Stetson Bennett looked solid in his first NFL outing as he completed 17 of his 29 pass attempts for 191 yards and 1 touchdown.

Related: Joe Burrow set to get ‘fit’ for Bengals’ season opener amid serious injury concerns

Chargers head coach Brandon Staley impressed with C.J. Okoye

Brandon Staley SI
Brandon Staley (Image via Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports)

The Chargers head coach Brandon Staley was impressed with the C.J. Okoye brilliant sack in their preseason game against the Rams. He talked about Okoye’s moment with the reporters after the game.

“It’s a historic performance,” Staley said according to The New York Post. “For him to go in his first NFL game to have a sack, our guys said if he gets a sack, we were going to get a 15-yard [celebration penalty]. You saw that sideline, that’s what the NFL’s about, great stories like that. Game ball for CJ and a memorable moment for our whole team.”

The 21-year-old Nigerian has been only playing football for the last three years. He was part of the London Combine and also partook in the University of South Florida’s Pro Day just ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft.

He is now fighting for a spot in the Chargers’ roster for the upcoming season. Apart from Okoye, five other Nigerian players are fighting for a roster spot with five different teams.

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