Chukky Okobi
Encyclopedia
Chukwunweze Sonume "Chukky" Okobi (born November 18, 1978) is a former American football
center
and commercial actor. He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers
in the fifth round of the 2001 NFL Draft
. He played college football
at Purdue
.
Okobi earned a Super Bowl ring
with the Steelers in Super Bowl XL
. He has also been a member of the Arizona Cardinals
and Houston Texans
.
He currently owns and operates The Mansion at Maple Heights
bed and breakfast in Pittsburgh, Pa.
Siblings: Brothers Dr. Anthony Okobi, MD and Emmy Okobi. Sisters Obi Okobi and Didi Okobi
in New York
, where he was an All-conference football player as a junior and senior. He also lettered in baseball twice and earned one letter in track and field.
in January 1996. Although he received much interest from several division I programs, it was the only full scholarship offer that he received. He redshirted in 1996 and went on to be a 4 year starter at Purdue at right guard (1997–99) and center (2000) under head coach, Joe Tiller
. He was named to the All-Big Ten Second team in 1998 as a sophomore and received preseason accolades from many publications going into the 1999 season, including several All American nods. But prior to his junior season, he suffered a torn biceps in training camp and was expected to miss the entire '99 season. He returned and started the final 6 games of that season. In 2000, he moved from right guard to center and helped Purdue win its first Big Ten title in 34 years and a BCS Bowl birth (Rose Bowl). He was the center for Heisman Trophy finalist and New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees
and started on an offensive line that featured 5 future NFL player, including New England Patriots All-Pro Tackle, Matt Light. He started at right guard in the Hula Bowl All-Star game in Maui following the 2000 season.
. He has played in many games since then, usually platooning the center position with Jeff Hartings
, and replacing Hartings when he is injured or otherwise unable to play. During the 2006 season
, Hartings suffered a minor knee injury that thrust Okobi into action: he started the last five games. On February 2, Jeff Hartings retired from the NFL. Okobi entered training camp as the starting center, but was replaced by Sean Mahan
- a move many feel was political, due to the coaching change from Bill Cowher to Mike Tomlin
, and Tomlin's prior relationship with Mahan from his time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
. Realizing their mistake in going with Mahan, the Steelers traded Mahan back to Tampa 1 year later.
.
on January 15, 2008. He was placed on season-ending injured reserve
with a triceps injury on May 22, and released with an injury settlement on June 2.
and Margot B., as well as being produced by E. Dan, a producer that has been credited with launching the career of rapper Wiz Khalifa
.
He has been a member of Screen Actors Guild
since 2006 and has starred in commercials for ESPN
, Campbell's Chunky Soup, and the Pennsylvania Lottery.
He currently owns and operates a popular bed and breakfast and wedding location in ShadySide called The Mansion at Maple Heights
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
center
Center (American football)
Center is a position in American football and Canadian football . The center is the innermost lineman of the offensive line on a football team's offense...
and commercial actor. He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
in the fifth round of the 2001 NFL Draft
2001 NFL Draft
The 2001 NFL Draft took place on April 21–22, 2001 at the theater at Madison Square Garden, in New York City. This was the 66th National Football League draft in league history. The draft was broadcast on ESPN both days and eventually moved to ESPN2. No teams elected to claim any players in the...
. He played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
at Purdue
Purdue Boilermakers football
The Purdue Boilermakers football team is the intercollegiate football program of the Purdue University Boilermakers. The program is classified in the NCAA's Division I Bowl Subdivision, and the team competes in the Big Ten Conference. The Boilermakers have an all-time record of...
.
Okobi earned a Super Bowl ring
Super Bowl ring
The Super Bowl ring is an award in the National Football League given to the winners of the league's annual championship game, the Super Bowl...
with the Steelers in Super Bowl XL
Super Bowl XL
Super Bowl XL was an American football game pitting the American Football Conference champion Pittsburgh Steelers against the National Football Conference champion Seattle Seahawks to decide the National Football League champion for the 2005 season...
. He has also been a member of the Arizona Cardinals
Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals are a professional American football team based in Glendale, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
and Houston Texans
Houston Texans
The Houston Texans are a professional American football team based in Houston, Texas. The team is currently a member of the Southern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
.
He currently owns and operates The Mansion at Maple Heights
The Mansion at Maple Heights
The Mansion at Maple Heights is a historical Jacobean mansion in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania that has been renovated and is now used as a bed and breakfast.-History:...
bed and breakfast in Pittsburgh, Pa.
Family
Parents: Dr. Elsie Okobi, PhD, Dr. Anthony Okobi, MD (deceased).Siblings: Brothers Dr. Anthony Okobi, MD and Emmy Okobi. Sisters Obi Okobi and Didi Okobi
Early years
He attended Trinity-Pawling SchoolTrinity-Pawling School
Trinity-Pawling School is an all boys private high school in Pawling, New York. Dr. Frederick Luther Gamage, once Headmaster of St. Paul's School in Long Island, founded the Pawling School in 1907. Located on high on a hill overlooking the Hudson River Valley, Trinity-Pawling has a colonial brick...
in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, where he was an All-conference football player as a junior and senior. He also lettered in baseball twice and earned one letter in track and field.
College career
Okobi received a scholarship offer from Purdue head coach, Jim CollettoJim Colletto
-External links:* *...
in January 1996. Although he received much interest from several division I programs, it was the only full scholarship offer that he received. He redshirted in 1996 and went on to be a 4 year starter at Purdue at right guard (1997–99) and center (2000) under head coach, Joe Tiller
Joe Tiller
Joe Tiller is a former American football player and coach. He served as the head football coach at the University of Wyoming from 1991 to 1996 and Purdue University from 1997 to 2008, compliling a career college football record of 126–92–1...
. He was named to the All-Big Ten Second team in 1998 as a sophomore and received preseason accolades from many publications going into the 1999 season, including several All American nods. But prior to his junior season, he suffered a torn biceps in training camp and was expected to miss the entire '99 season. He returned and started the final 6 games of that season. In 2000, he moved from right guard to center and helped Purdue win its first Big Ten title in 34 years and a BCS Bowl birth (Rose Bowl). He was the center for Heisman Trophy finalist and New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees
Drew Brees
Drew Christopher Brees is a quarterback for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft. He played college football at Purdue....
and started on an offensive line that featured 5 future NFL player, including New England Patriots All-Pro Tackle, Matt Light. He started at right guard in the Hula Bowl All-Star game in Maui following the 2000 season.
Pittsburgh Steelers
He was selected with the 15th pick of the fifth round of the 2001 NFL Draft2001 NFL Draft
The 2001 NFL Draft took place on April 21–22, 2001 at the theater at Madison Square Garden, in New York City. This was the 66th National Football League draft in league history. The draft was broadcast on ESPN both days and eventually moved to ESPN2. No teams elected to claim any players in the...
. He has played in many games since then, usually platooning the center position with Jeff Hartings
Jeff Hartings
Jeffrey Alan Hartings is a former professional American football center who is best known for his six-season tenure with the Pittsburgh Steelers.-High School Years:...
, and replacing Hartings when he is injured or otherwise unable to play. During the 2006 season
2006 Pittsburgh Steelers season
The 2006 Pittsburgh Steelers season began with the team trying to improve on their 11–5 record from 2005 and trying to defend their Super Bowl XL championship.-Offseason:...
, Hartings suffered a minor knee injury that thrust Okobi into action: he started the last five games. On February 2, Jeff Hartings retired from the NFL. Okobi entered training camp as the starting center, but was replaced by Sean Mahan
Sean Mahan
Sean Christopher Mahan is an American football center who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the fifth round of the 2003 NFL Draft...
- a move many feel was political, due to the coaching change from Bill Cowher to Mike Tomlin
Mike Tomlin
Michael Tomlin is the current head coach for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League. Tomlin is the third youngest head coach in any of the four major North American professional sports. He is the tenth African-American head coach in NFL history, and first in Steelers history...
, and Tomlin's prior relationship with Mahan from his time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football franchise based in Tampa, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the Southern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League – they are the only team in the division not to come from the old NFC West...
. Realizing their mistake in going with Mahan, the Steelers traded Mahan back to Tampa 1 year later.
Arizona Cardinals
On September 1, 2007, Okobi was released from the Steelers. He was signed by the Arizona CardinalsArizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals are a professional American football team based in Glendale, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
.
Houston Texans
Okobi was signed by the Houston TexansHouston Texans
The Houston Texans are a professional American football team based in Houston, Texas. The team is currently a member of the Southern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
on January 15, 2008. He was placed on season-ending injured reserve
Injured reserve
The injured reserve list is a list of reserved players who are injured and unable to play for a period of time, used most prominently in the National Hockey League and National Football League . It is used because these leagues have a maximum number of players on the team roster, so placing a...
with a triceps injury on May 22, and released with an injury settlement on June 2.
Post-football career
Okobi has been involved in several different aspects of entertainment since his departure from the NFL. He dabbled in songwriting and hip hop, collaborating on projects with successful artists such as Pittsburgh SlimPittsburgh Slim
Sied Chahrour, better known by his stage name Slimmie Hendrix , is an American rapper from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In January 2011, he teamed up with Snowballers Entertainment, the record label founded by famed music video director Ray Kay and music producer Axident. His first single is expected...
and Margot B., as well as being produced by E. Dan, a producer that has been credited with launching the career of rapper Wiz Khalifa
Wiz Khalifa
Cameron Jibril Thomaz , better known by the stage name Wiz Khalifa , is an American rapper. He released his debut album, Show and Prove, in 2006, and signed to Warner Bros. Records in 2007...
.
He has been a member of Screen Actors Guild
Screen Actors Guild
The Screen Actors Guild is an American labor union representing over 200,000 film and television principal performers and background performers worldwide...
since 2006 and has starred in commercials for ESPN
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
, Campbell's Chunky Soup, and the Pennsylvania Lottery.
He currently owns and operates a popular bed and breakfast and wedding location in ShadySide called The Mansion at Maple Heights
The Mansion at Maple Heights
The Mansion at Maple Heights is a historical Jacobean mansion in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania that has been renovated and is now used as a bed and breakfast.-History:...