Former NFL Star Okoye to Address Franklin Foundation Luncheon

By Bob Jackson

As the Kansas City Chiefs’ “Nigerian Nightmare,” Christian Okoye played the role of feared opponent whenever he came to Denver to face the Broncos. Now, the former all-pro running back will play the role of keynote speaker at the Shaka Franklin Foundation for Youth’s 17th Annual Love Our Children Luncheon on April 20.

“We are very fortunate to have Christian Okoye as our luncheon speaker,” said Marianne Franklin, the foundation’s executive director. “His foundation, like our foundation, is striving toward the same goal – trying to save our children. I’m looking forward to his talk and looking to see how it ties together with deterring youths from self-destructive behavior, which is our function. We need to save the children one way or another, and both of our foundations are trying to do that.”

As a businessman and motivational speaker, Okoye delivers about 30 talks a year to teams, businesses, churches and youth organizations. At the Franklin Foundation luncheon, his message will be aimed at adults, he said.

“I will just encourage them to pay attention to the kids,” said Okoye. “I will congratulate them for being there to support the Shaka organization, because without them the organization will not flourish and help kids – just like I tell the ones who come to my fundraisers.”

The Franklin Foundation, a non-profit organization, was founded in 1990 by Les Franklin, following the suicide of his son, Shaka, to address the problems of youth suicide and self-destructive behavior. The foundation offers information on the warning signs of suicide, depression and grief to hundreds of schools, churches, youth groups, professionals and parents.

“We deliver many presentations on suicide prevention and have created positive education and activities for children 3 to 18 years-old,” said Marianne Franklin. “We get these young people involved regardless of race, creed, culture, gender preference or economic status.”

In 1999, Shaka’s Place, a youth technology center and after-school program, was opened at 5929 E. 38th Ave. It houses a computer lab and a music studio that offers video production sessions.

Okoye also has devoted his time to youth causes. In 1990, he founded the Christian Okoye Foundation in 1990 to help underprivileged children.

“What motivated me to get involved with kids is that I grew up poor; but later life got good, so while I was playing pro football, I decided I wanted to give kids the chances that I had,” said Okoye, 45, who as a player was known for his relentless, pounding, bruising running style.

“We have always tried to motivate the kids to set goals and encourage them to always go for an education, because that’s the key,” Okoye said. “Only one out of about 5,000 of the athletes in the world make it to the pros. Just because they see pros on television doesn’t mean it’s going to happen to them. It’s always good to have a backup – education and working toward positive future goals.”

In 1997, he created the Okoye Fitness and Nutrition to instruct youth on health issues, including drug abuse, proper nutrition and proper exercise.

“Health care is good, but first of all, my primary goal still is to work with inner-city kids, and provide them with the means and desire to focus their goals on bettering themselves – and the community – through education and sports,” he said. “Our main focus is on the kids. We want to pull them out of their environment and make them realize what’s out there for them. We are trying to teach them to set goals and have their minds on the right path. A lot of these kids don't have anybody to look up to. They need role models. We help them expand their horizons, so that they can think beyond what they see in their neighborhood.”

Growing up in Nigeria , Okoye played soccer until he was 17. While in high school he was also a sprinter, hammer thrower, shot putter and discus thrower. While at Azusa Pacific College in the 1980s, he won seven national titles in shot put, discus and hammer throws. He also won 17 All-American honors in track and field. Despite this, Okoye failed to make his country's 1984 Olympic team. Hurt by this, he quit track and joined the Azusa Pacific’s football team. The Chiefs drafted him in the second round in 1987.

In his six NFL seasons, Okoye set several team rushing records: most total yards in a season; most attempts in a season; most touchdowns in a season; most attempts in a single game; and most 100-yard games in a season. He was the first Chiefs running back to rush for 1,000 yards for more than one season. He was named running back of the year in 1989, and voted first team All-Pro. That same year, the National Football League Players Association voted him the American Football Conference Most Valuable Player.

He has been inducted into the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Track and Field Hall Of Fame, Chiefs Hall of Fame, Missouri Sports Hall of Fame and the Senior Bowl Hall of Fame.

Editor’s note: The Shaka Franklin Foundation luncheon will be held at 11:30 a.m., at the Denver Adam’s Mark Hotel, at 1550 Court Pl. Highlights of the luncheon will include awards presented to business leaders and students. The emcee will be Jolene Martin, co-host of the television show Curious Culture, on SABC2. Individual tickets are $70; corporate tables $1,500; and there are a number of sponsorships available, from $2,500, to $20,000. For more information, call (303) 337-2515.

Shaka Franklin Foundation Honors Six Community Leaders
Former Denver Mayor Wellington E. Webb will receive the Shaka Franklin Foundation for Youth’s 2007 Lifetime Achievement Award. Webb, chief executive and president of Webb International, a worldwide consulting firm on international issues, is also the president and CEO of the Colorado Black Chamber of Commerce.

"I am deeply honored to receive this Lifetime Achievement Award from such a special organization as The Shaka Franklin Foundation for Youth,” said Webb. “This organization has so much community credibility from its founders having a lifetime of community service."

Other community awards will be presented to:

--Dr. Evie Dennis Educator of the Year Award: Carolyn R. Jones, Ph.D., founder and executive director of Challenges, Choices and Image charter school.
--Outstanding Corporate Non-Profit Citizen Award: Sal Carpio, executive director of the Denver Housing Authority.
--Volunteer of the Year Award: Jennifer Short, one of a handful of female ice hockey coaches in the country, and the first female hired for the boys’ sports division at Regis University.
--Spiritual Service of the Community Award: The Rev. James Peters, Jr., pastor emeritus of New Hope Baptist Church.
--Service to the Community Award: Denice Edwards, a Denver lobbyist and executive director of Governmental Affairs and Marketing for the Colorado Black Chamber of Commerce.