Catching up with Chigoziem Okonkwo
7/28/2020 11:54:00 AM | Football
Tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo, last week named to the John Mackey Award Watch List, given annually to the most outstanding collegiate tight end, enters his junior season with 24 games and seven starts under his belt. Okonkwo played in every game last season, standing second on team with 19 receptions and third on team with 201 yards while catching two touchdowns and looks to expand on that production as the Terps primary tight end in 2020. UMTerps.com caught up with Okonkwo to talk about his quarantine, the issues surrounding our country and his preparation for the upcoming season.
How have you been staying in shape during the quarantine?
I have been doing a lot of YouTube workouts and a lot of yoga workouts to compensate for the lack of gyms during quarantine.
What has been the most interesting/unique thing to come from one of the team or position group zoom calls?
One unique thing to come from our meetings have been the emotional stories that guys have shared from their life experiences. We call it our "3 H's": a Hero, hardship, and highlight.
Why did you think it was important to speak out as a team on the racial injustices going on in our country?
I believe it was important because our whole team comes from different backgrounds. We all have our own experiences and as a family we needed it to be all out on the table for everyone to understand each other's feelings better.
We are 𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐓𝐄𝐃 in this.
— Maryland Football (@TerpsFootball) June 12, 2020
We are built as one 𝐓𝐄𝐀𝐌.
We will be part of creating 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐄. pic.twitter.com/2JsydxIeE2
"How about some implicit bias training?"
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) July 6, 2020
Current @B1Gfootball players share examples that they have faced as black men, and discuss the reality of racial profiling.
Full video: https://t.co/Nqo1g7p6tU pic.twitter.com/fYHFBhvTUa
Voting and helping others in the community register to vote and make it to the polls on election days seemed to be a big theme in the players statement. Why is that so important and how do you think the Maryland football team can make a big impact in that area?
Voting is extremely important because the people we vote for are our voices. They are able to affect our lives with lawmaking and policies which is what our community needs. We need people in power who are for us. We believe we can make an impact by bringing awareness and helping those who don't typically vote get out to the polls to exercise their right.
Who was your NFL idol growing up?
Reggie Bush. I wanted to be just like him when I watched him in college. I still believe he's the most exciting college player ever. He was fun to watch.
What show have you binged watched during the quarantine?
During quarantine I binge watched Avatar! Netflix released it recently and it was a really fun trip to the past.
What makes you most excited about the 2020 team?
The thing that makes me so excited is the mindset of this team. They are hungry and motivated. In the past we haven't had an entire team with this mindset and I'm really excited to see how we do this fall.
Red zone threat ✅
— Maryland Football (@TerpsFootball) June 29, 2020
Crazy versatility ✅
Vocal leader ✅@ChigTweets is set for a big time junior year 😤 pic.twitter.com/5bWaCpduBO
"Every time I make a play, I'm thinking 'did they see that?'"@ChigTweets found his second family at Maryland, but his first is what got him here.
— Maryland Football (@TerpsFootball) October 4, 2019
➡️ https://t.co/bXeFHmc7F3 pic.twitter.com/uYlMtWXmSw
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