Bobby Okereke

BIOGRAPHY

Robert Nnanna Okereke, an American professional football linebacker for the New York Giants of the NFL, was born on July 29, 1996. Known for his athleticism and fearlessness on the field, he has done stints with Stanford College Football and the Indianapolis Colts, furthering his reputation as an undeniable force in the sport.

Born in Santa Ana, California to parents who migrated from Nigeria, Okereke’s roots are entrenched in an immigrant narrative that embraces hard work, perseverance, and natural talent. His high school years were spent at Foothill High School where he first demonstrated his aptitude for the game, staking his claim on the football field.

Stanford was the next arena for Okereke’s blossoming football career where he redshirted as a freshman in 2014. During his 4-season tenure at Stanford from 2015 to 2018, Okereke made significant contributions. His record boasts an impressive 227 total tackles, with 20.0 being for a loss, 10.5 sacks, one interception returned for a 52-yard touchdown, eight pass breakups, one fumble recovery, and three forced fumbles. His skills on the field led to him being named a Pac-12 Honorable Mention in both 2017 and 2018.

In the 2019 NFL draft, Okereke was drafted in the third round (89th overall) by the Indianapolis Colts. He made a solid NFL debut in the season opener against the Los Angeles Chargers, earning his first career start by Week 3 against the Atlanta Falcons. Notable moments of this season include his inaugural career sack in the 31–17 loss against the Tennessee Titans. Okereke ended the season with a sack, 65 total tackles, two pass breakups, and two forced fumbles on his chart.

Every subsequent season showed a consistent growth in his performance. Highlights include his first career interception off a pass thrown by Cleveland Brown’s Baker Mayfield in Week 5 of the 2020 season. His season ended with 72 total tackles, an interception, and six pass breakups. The 2021 season saw Okereke starting in all 17 games and setting new personal bests. He had an impressive season with one sack, 132 total tackles, two interceptions, and four pass breakups. The upward trajectory continued in the 2022 season where he finished with 151 total tackles, five passes defended, and two forced fumbles.

A turning point in his career came on March 16, 2023, when Okereke signed a four-year contract with the New York Giants. In the 2023 NFL season, he excelled with 149 total tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, 4 forced fumbles, 2 interceptions, and 10 passes defended. Furthermore, Okereke and teammate Xavier McKinney gained distinction as the only defenders in the NFL to not miss a snap in the entire season.

However, his football prowess doesn’t insulate Okereke from controversy. He was the subject of a sexual assault investigation at Stanford in 2015, wherein three members of the university’s five-person investigative panel concluded that Okereke did commit the assault. The ruling, however, did not meet the 4-1 threshold necessary to pursue further punitive action. Okereke, for his part, has staunchly maintained his innocence amidst these serious allegations.

Okereke’s journey, while not unblemished, paints a picture of an athlete passionately committed to his craft. He has consistently risen to challenges, setting records, and proving himself a superstar in the world of professional football.