Because he shares the same surname as former Kansas City Chiefs fullback Christian Okoye, some sources have claimed that the two are related.

[5] At age 15 Okoye chose the University of Louisville over Harvard,[6] citing a desire to play for a strong football program.

He later switched his major to psychology and graduated a semester early, thereby completing his degree in three and a half years.

Tremaine Edmunds became the second youngest at 19 years 11 months 26 days old, in 2018, making them the only two teenagers ever drafted in NFL history.

[8] Okoye signed a five-year deal with the Texans on July 26, which allowed him to begin training camp with his teammates the next day.

[11] During the 2011 Chicago Bears season, Okoye played 16 games with one start, recording four sacks and 27 combined tackles.

[17] During the 2012 Chicago Bears season, Okoye played in nine games, recording one sack, one forced fumble, and 12 combined tackles.

After having missed the 2013 NFL season due to what was referred to at the time as an "undisclosed medical issue", Okoye signed with the Dallas Cowboys on May 16, 2014.

Okoye had been diagnosed in March 2013 with anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis and had been placed in a medically induced coma to stabilize recurring seizures.

[20] In July 2016, Okoye signed a contract with the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League (CFL), and was placed on the team's suspended (inactive) list.