During his National Football League (NFL) career from 1999 to 2009, he played defensive end and linebacker for the San Francisco 49ers, the Seattle Seahawks, and the Arizona Cardinals.
His parents pursued advanced academic training at universities in Michigan and Ohio, before his father returned to Nigeria in 1983 and Chike and his sisters were raised by his mother in the Midwest.
Once Green was fired, new head coach Ken Whisenhunt introduced a Pittsburgh-style 3-4 scheme that would ultimately change Okeafor's position to Outside Linebacker.
He missed the entire 2007 season with a biceps injury, but in four active years as a Cardinal recorded 210 tackles, 25 sacks, 12 passes defended and one interception which he returned 39 yards.
He favored natural foods and herbal remedies, slept on an electrically grounded bed, and wore a medallion to ward off chaotic energy.